Celeste Mystery: Teen Found in D4vd’s Tesla, Questions Remain Unanswered

The music world was rocked after police confirmed that the body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas was discovered inside a Tesla registered to rising music artist D4vd (real name David Anthony Burke). The shocking discovery came on September 8, 2025, when the abandoned Tesla was inspected at a Los Angeles tow yard after being towed from the Hollywood Hills following reports of a foul odor. Investigators revealed the remains were found in the car’s front trunk — the “frunk” — wrapped in plastic.

Authorities confirmed that Celeste had been missing since April 2024. Despite identifying the body, the Los Angeles Police Department announced on September 18 that no official cause or manner of death has been determined. As a result, LAPD stated that they have not classified this case as a homicide or any other crime at this stage. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office has deferred its findings pending toxicology and further testing. Importantly, police also confirmed that d4vd is not currently considered a suspect, and no arrest has been made as the investigation continues.

Public attention around the case has been magnified by unsettling coincidences: Celeste shares her name with an unreleased D4vd track that surfaced online, and both she and the artist reportedly have matching “Shhh…” tattoos on their right index fingers. Celeste’s mother has stated that her daughter had a boyfriend named David before she disappeared, though authorities have not confirmed whether that person was Burke.

This Tesla is reported to be one of several vehicles owned by the artist, and investigators are still working to determine who had access to it between the time Celeste went missing and when the car was impounded. The LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division has executed a search warrant at a Hollywood Hills property connected to Burke, but has not released further details about any evidence recovered.

The fallout from the discovery has been swift in the music and fashion world. Kali Uchis, who collaborated with d4vd on the track “Crashing”, announced she is removing the song from streaming services, writing, “Not my friend — I did a song with him which is currently in the process of being taken down given today’s disturbing news.” Uchis also responded to criticism online, adding, “People like her are why women always get blamed for things men do — the internalized misogyny of this world, I suppose.”

Major brands that have partnered with D4vd are now taking action as well. Both Crocs and Hollister have reportedly removed campaign content featuring the artist from their social media and websites as they distance themselves from the controversy.

For now, the case remains open and shrouded in questions. Investigators have not said when or how Celeste died, nor how long her body was inside the Tesla. As fans and the public await the coroner’s findings, the haunting parallels between Celeste’s name, the leaked song, and the shared tattoo continue to fuel speculation — even as police stress that there is no official suspect and the investigation is ongoing.