American singer D4vd has been officially named as a suspect in the death of a teenager, Celeste Rivas, whose decomposed body was discovered inside his Tesla at a Los Angeles tow yard.
A Grisly Discovery in an Impounded Vehicle
The case began when workers at Hollywood Tow yard reported a powerful stench coming from a black Tesla in September. The vehicle had been impounded after being ticketed for overstaying the three-day parking limit in the Hollywood Hills neighbourhood.
Upon investigation, authorities made a horrifying discovery: the body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas in the car's front trunk. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has confirmed to NBC4 Investigates that the vehicle was registered to the singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke.
Police believe that Rivas, who was first reported missing from her home in Lake Elsinore in April 2024, likely died in the spring. This means her remains had been inside the vehicle for an extended period before being found.
An Uncooperative Suspect and Disturbing Allegations
LAPD sources have revealed that D4vd is not only a suspect in Rivas's death but is also believed to have assisted in dismembering and disposing of the body. The medical examiner's office stated that the teenager "appears to have been deceased inside the vehicle for an extended period of time before being found."
Despite these serious allegations, an LAPD source reported that the singer has not been cooperative with the investigation. The case is being treated as a homicide, although the official cause of death has not yet been determined.
The connection between the pair was confirmed by Rivas's brother, who told NBC Los Angeles that the family was aware Rivas knew the singer. He revealed she was on her way to see a movie with D4vd just before she disappeared.
Fallout for the Rising Music Star
D4vd, a New York-born singer-songwriter signed to Darkroom and Interscope, is known for his hits Romantic Homicide and Here With Me. At the time Rivas's remains were discovered, he was reportedly on tour, but he cancelled all subsequent appearances following the grim discovery.
According to the property's landlord, D4vd and his manager had been staying at a residence in the Hollywood Hills until police searched the property. Residents in the area noted that the Tesla had been parked in the neighbourhood for over a month before it was finally ticketed just 11 days before Rivas's body was found.
The LAPD did not provide an immediate response when contacted by The Guardian for comment on the ongoing investigation.
