[A photo of the back of a black vehicle turned on; Photo credit: Pexels]

On September 8th, 2025, the body of a teenage girl was found in the back of singer D4vd’s black Tesla, and the exact identity of the body was confirmed 10 days later.

D4vd, 20, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, is an American singer who first rose to fame after going viral on TikTok in 2022.

His popularity has grown steadily since.

Police later confirmed that the body was Celeste Rivas, 15, who had been reported missing last year from Lake Elsinore in Riverside County.

The remains were located after a citizen reported a terrible odor coming from the parked vehicle, according to The Guardian.

Officials said the body was found one day after what would have been Rivas’s 15th birthday, though investigators estimate she died between the ages of 13 and 14.

A medical examiner described that the remains appeared to have been dead for an extended period.

Investigators pointed out that Rivas and D4vd shared a matching tattoo with the words “Shhh…,” but they emphasized it could not be used as conclusive evidence since the design is a popular choice among celebrities.

According to the Los Angeles Times, a Hollywood Hills residence where D4vd had been staying was searched under a warrant, although he does not own the property.

Police have not released details of what was found, but confirmed that multiple items, including a computer, were seized for further inspection.

At the time of the discovery, D4vd was on a U.S. tour, which he immediately cancelled.

NBC News reported that he has been “cooperating with officials.”

When Universal Music Group, the parent company of D4vd’s agency, sought comment from his attorney, no immediate response was provided. 

Since then, D4vd has not made any public appearance nor statements. 

He has also moved out of the Hollywood Hills rental home and terminated the lease.

Although no one has been charged, suspicion has fallen on D4vd after further details emerged. 

NewsNation reported that Rivas’s mother had previously said her daughter was dating someone named David before she disappeared.

Following the tragic news, Gisel Vera, a relative of Rivas, created a GoFundMe page to help cover funeral expenses. 

Friends of D4vd have since spoken out, claiming that they believed Rivas was a 19-year-old USC student.

They said she attended age-restricted events with D4vd and was later confirmed by law enforcement to have used several fake IDs.

Friends described the pair as “romantically involved”, noting that their quiet, introverted personalities seemed to match. 

They also expressed shock upon learning Rivas’s true age.

The case has drawn wide attention online, with many communities expressing sorrow over Rivas’s death and calling for greater protections to prevent similar incidents.

As tributes continue, people close to Rivas and members of the public have voiced their hope that she may now rest in peace.