The Body of a Teenage Girl Was Found in Singer d4vd's Tesla. Now, Authorities Are Investigating Her Suspicious Death By Caroline Blair

Singer d4vd is under investigation after the body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas was found in his impounded car on Sept. 8.

The artist, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, initially started out as a YouTube creator before he rose to fame as a musician. He became well-known after releasing the 2022 songs “Romantic Homicide” and “Here with Me,” which both became viral songs on TikTok.

He went on to release two EPs, Petals to Thorns and The Lost Petals and embarked on tours for both. In 2025, d4vd released his debut album, Withered, and began touring across the world as part of the Withered World Tour in April 2025.

However, d4vd made headlines in September after he was identified as the owner of an impounded Tesla where human remains were found. The body was later identified as Rivas, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed to PEOPLE. While her date of death is listed as Sept. 8, her cause of death was “deferred,” meaning they’re still determining both the cause and the manner.

d4vd has yet to publicly comment on the ordeal, but his representative told NBC Los Angeles that his client is “fully cooperating” with investigators. In the midst of the investigation, he canceled one of his scheduled tour stops. Meanwhile, Rivas’ family established a GoFundMe, where they wrote about how “heartbroken” they are.

Here’s everything to know about d4vd and the investigation into the body found in his car.

d4vd is a singer with viral hits on TikTok

d4vd was a video game content creator before he began pursuing music. In 2022, he released the singles “Here with Me” and “Romantic Homicide,” which both went viral on TikTok. Over the next three years, he released two EPs, performed as an opening act for SZA and won two BMI Pop Awards.

After releasing his debut album, Withered, in April 2025, he embarked upon a worldwide tour. He performed at several venues across the U.S. in August and September and is scheduled to tour in Europe later this year, as well.

In April 2025, d4vd spoke to PEOPLE about Withered and said that he was “moving with a lot of intention nowadays.”

A body was discovered in his impounded Tesla on Sept. 8

On Sept. 8, 2025, the Los Angeles Police Department investigated an impounded Tesla after someone complained of a foul odor, PEOPLE confirmed. LAPD officers responded to the call around 12:30 p.m. that day and discovered human remains in the trunk of a car parked on N. Mansfield Avenue.

Authorities later told the Los Angeles Times that they estimated the body was placed in the trunk of the car about five days before it was impounded from a neighborhood in the Hollywood Hills. Investigators found the body wrapped inside a bag, according KABC-TV.

Shortly after they found the remains, authorities identified that the car was registered to d4vd, of Hempstead, Texas.

Police later identified the body as Celeste Rivas

Over one week after authorities discovered the body, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner identified the remains as those of 15-year-old Rivas, PEOPLE confirmed. They listed her date of death as Sept. 8 and wrote that her cause of death is “deferred,” which could change depending on further investigation.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office told NBC News that Rivas is “the juvenile who was reported missing from Lake Elsinore.” The office further told the Los Angeles Times that she was first reported missing on April 5, 2024.

Authorities have not disclosed further information about Rivas or if she had any possible connection to d4vd.

The medical examiner’s office told NBC News that Rivas was wearing a tube top, black leggings, a yellow bracelet and stud earrings.

The Los Angeles Police Department has not shared a cause of death or the manner of investigation

As of Sept. 18, the LAPD has not released information on Rivas’ cause of death or the manner of the investigation. Although they initially told NBC News that they were “investigating this incident as a homicide,” they shared a follow-up statement apologizing for declaring it a homicide investigation.

Police have also not shared if there are any people of interest in the case or if they plan to file any charges.

d4vd and Celeste Rivas had similar tattoos

Investigators have not released any information on whether or not d4vd and Rivas had any sort of connection.

However, the medical examiner identified Rivas as having a tattoo that read “Shhh…” on her right index finger, per the Los Angeles Times.

Meanwhile, a photo of d4vd from September 2024 shows him having a “Shhh” tattoo on his right index finger. Authorities have not yet addressed the seemingly matching tattoos.

d4vd was on tour at the time of the investigation but canceled one of his shows

As news of the remains being found broke, d4vd was in the midst of his Withered World Tour in North America. He continued performing from Minneapolis on Sept. 9, to Portland, Oreg., on Sept. 15.

However, he canceled his show in Seattle that was scheduled to take place on Sept. 16. d4vd did not share a statement on the cancelation at the time.

d4vd is set to perform in San Francisco on Sept. 19 and Los Angeles the following day, and those shows have remained on the venues’ websites, as of Sept. 18.

d4vd is “fully cooperating with authorities”

d4vd has not publicly commented on the investigation or Rivas’ death.

However, a spokesperson for the singer told NBC Los Angeles on Sept. 16, “d4vd has been informed about what’s happened. And, although he is still out on tour, he is fully cooperating with the authorities.”

Celeste Rivas’ family is “heartbroken and devastated” by her death

Rivas’ family broke their silence after her body was found by launching a GoFundMe titled, “Help Lay Celeste Rivas Hernandez to Rest,” on Sept. 18.

“As many of you know, Celeste Rivas Hernandez has been identified as the body found last week,” organizers Esmeralda Lozano and Gisel Vera wrote. “She was a beloved daughter, sister, cousin, and friend. Her family is heartbroken and devastated by this tragic loss. They are seeking help to lay her body to rest. Any funds you are able to donate are greatly appreciated.”

They signed off as “The Rivas Hernandez family.” Lozano and Vera also shared that her service was scheduled for Oct. 5.