The victim had been reported missing since April 2024. The case shocked international public opinion and is still under investigation.
Body discovered in impounded car
On September 8, employees of a tow truck yard in Hollywood detected a foul odor coming from a Tesla impounded for a traffic violation. When Los Angeles police opened the trunk to check, they found the badly decomposed body of a young woman.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the victim was identified as Celeste Rivas, 15, living in Lake Elsinore (Riverside County, California). Her family reported her missing since April 2024. The identification was made through fingerprints and physical characteristics.
The Los Angeles Medical Examiner has not yet announced the cause and manner of death. Additional forensic tests are still underway.
Vehicle Registered to D4vd
The Tesla where the body was found was registered to David Anthony Burke (stage name D4vd, 20 years old).
The singer of the hit song “Here With Me” also abruptly canceled his latest show after the victim’s identity was made public, officially becoming the number one suspect in this murder case.
According to ABC News, a representative of D4vd confirmed that the artist is cooperating with the authorities and refused to comment in detail during the investigation phase. So far, no criminal charges have been brought against D4vd.
Police are reviewing surveillance video, questioning those who had access to the car, and investigating how the body could have been put in the trunk of the Tesla.
A notable detail mentioned by the Los Angeles Times is that the victim’s body had a tattoo of the word “Shhh…” on his right index finger, which coincides with the tattoo associated with D4vd’s style. However, police have not confirmed the connection between this detail and the incident.