A decomposing body discovered in a Tesla registered to rising music star D4vd has been identified as 15-year-old Celeste Rivas, a California girl who had been missing for more than a year, authorities confirmed.
The Discovery
On 8 September, officers responded to reports of a foul odor at a Hollywood tow yard in Los Angeles. Upon searching the vehicle’s trunk, investigators found human remains later confirmed to be Rivas.
The Tesla, which bore Texas license plates, had been abandoned in the Hollywood Hills and towed to the impound lot roughly five days before the discovery.
Law enforcement sources told NBC News that the remains were not intact, indicating Rivas had been dead for an extended period.
Victim’s Background
Celeste Rivas, from Lake Elsinore, California, was just 13 years old when she disappeared on 5 April 2024, according to a missing person flyer cited by CBS.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner provided a detailed description last week before confirming her identity: a 5ft 2in teen with wavy black hair, wearing a tube top and black leggings, and bearing a small tattoo on her right index finger that read “Shhh.”
Car Linked to D4vd
The car where her body was found is registered to David Anthony Burke, better known by his stage name D4vd. The 20-year-old singer rose to fame with viral hits such as Here With Me and Romantic Homicide, amassing millions of followers across social media platforms.
At the time of the discovery, D4vd was reportedly on tour promoting his debut album, which he released in April 2025. A scheduled show in Seattle last Wednesday was abruptly cancelled.
Ongoing Investigation
Police have not released details about the cause or time of death, which remain under investigation. Officers said the Tesla had only been in the tow yard “a couple of days” before the grisly discovery.
Authorities emphasized that D4vd is cooperating fully with the investigation. As of now, there is no confirmation linking the artist directly to Rivas’s death.
Broader Shock
The case has sent shockwaves through both the music world and the wider public. Fans of D4vd, who is considered one of Gen Z’s most promising music talents, expressed disbelief and concern on social media.
Meanwhile, advocates for missing children say the case highlights the importance of stronger awareness and resources for runaway and missing minors, as Rivas had been unaccounted for since early 2024.
For now, investigators are piecing together the timeline of how a missing girl from Lake Elsinore ended up in a car registered to one of America’s fastest-rising young music stars.