Body of Missing Teen Celeste Rivas Found in Car Linked to Singer D4vd

The body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas has been found inside a car tied to rising music star D4vd. The discovery was made on September 8, 2025, in Los Angeles. Officials confirmed the girl had been missing since April 2024.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner identified the remains. Police say the Tesla was registered to 20-year-old singer David Anthony Burke, known by his stage name D4vd. The car had been towed from the Hollywood Hills and sat in an impound lot for days before police were alerted by reports of a foul smell.

Celeste Rivas Missing Case and Discovery

Celeste Rivas went missing from Lake Elsinore, California, in April 2024. Her family reported that she had been dating someone named “David” at the time. According to ABC7, her remains were found hidden inside a bag in the Tesla’s front trunk.

Authorities noted the body was badly decomposed due to months in the summer heat. At first, police could not confirm gender or identity. It was later verified as Rivas. According to Rolling Stone, the Tesla Model Y had been spotted parked in several locations around the Bird Streets neighborhood before it was abandoned.

TMZ reported that the car was never reported stolen. The vehicle remained in the tow yard for five days before officers investigated. Sources confirmed it had been left in different areas for weeks at a time, raising suspicions among neighbors.

D4vd’s Connection and Ongoing Investigation

The Tesla is owned by Burke, who gained fame on TikTok through viral music tracks. His representative told NBC4 Los Angeles that he is cooperating with authorities. He has not been named as a suspect.

D4vd began a world tour last month and performed in Madison, Wisconsin, the day before the body was found. He is scheduled to appear in Los Angeles on September 20.

Law enforcement continues to investigate how the vehicle remained in use for so long and how the teen’s body ended up inside. According to Reuters, investigators are working with the Medical Examiner’s office and homicide detectives to confirm cause of death and timeline.

Celeste Rivas missing case now shifts into a full homicide investigation. Police continue to gather evidence as the public awaits answers.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Who was Celeste Rivas?

She was a 15-year-old from Lake Elsinore, California. She went missing in April 2024 before her body was found in September 2025.

Q2: Where was her body discovered?

Her body was discovered inside a Tesla in a Los Angeles police impound lot. It was hidden in the front trunk of the car.

Q3: What is D4vd’s connection to the case?

The car belonged to D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke. He is cooperating with police but has not been charged.

Q4: When did police find the body?

The body was found on September 8, 2025. Reports of a foul smell led officers to open the car in the tow yard.

Q5: What happens next in the investigation?

Police are awaiting final autopsy results. Detectives are building a timeline to understand how the body remained hidden for so long.

Sources

Reuters; Associated Press; ABC7; TMZ; Rolling Stone; NBC4 Los Angeles; Los Angeles Police Department