Who is d4vd? The Singer Behind the Teen's Tragic Tesla Death

The Discovery of a Teenage Girl's Remains in an Abandoned Car

On September 8, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) launched an investigation after human remains were discovered in the trunk of a Tesla that had been left at a tow yard in West Hollywood. The car had been towed from a location in the Hollywood Hills where it had been abandoned days earlier. According to reports, an employee at the tow lot noticed a foul smell coming from the vehicle, prompting further inspection.

The remains were described as “severely decomposed” by the Los Angeles Times, making identification difficult. However, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner later confirmed that the remains belonged to Celeste Rivas, a 15-year-old girl who had been reported missing in Riverside County in April 2024.

Investigators noted that Rivas had run away from home at least once before she was reported missing over a year ago. The medical examiner identified the deceased as a 5’2” individual weighing around 71 pounds with dark, wavy hair. She was also described as wearing a tube top and having a tattoo on her right index finger reading “Shhh.” This detail has sparked online discussions, especially after TMZ reported that singer d4vd has the same tattoo, which can be seen on his finger in recent photos.

Connection to David Anthony Burke

The Tesla in which Rivas was found dead had Texas license plates and was registered to David Anthony Burke, according to the LAPD. Burke, known by his stage name d4vd, is cooperating with police, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the singer to NBC News.

d4vd, pronounced like his first name David, is a 20-year-old singer who rose to fame in Houston. His music includes popular tracks such as “Romantic Homicide” and “Here With Me,” both of which have amassed over 1.5 billion streams on Spotify. He gained attention when he began creating original music for “Fortnite” montage videos that he edited and uploaded on YouTube. E! News reports that he released an official anthem for the video game just days before Rivas' body was discovered.

In an interview with Variety, d4vd reflected on how “Fortnite” helped shape his life, stating, “Getting to write the ‘anthem’ for it is amazing.”

Social Media Presence and Current Status

d4vd has maintained a strong presence on social media since his early days as a streamer and content creator. He has over 2 million subscribers on YouTube, 2 million followers on Instagram, and 3.8 million on TikTok. Despite the recent developments, he was on tour when news of Rivas’ death broke.

According to reports, d4vd canceled a show planned for Seattle but was still scheduled to perform in San Francisco on Friday. As of the publication date, no official statement has been released regarding the ongoing investigation.

Background on the Case

The case remains under investigation, with authorities not yet releasing a cause of death or naming any suspects. The connection between d4vd and the car has raised questions about his involvement, though no charges have been filed. The discovery of the tattoo and the details of Rivas’ disappearance have fueled public interest and speculation about the circumstances surrounding her death.

As the investigation continues, more information is expected to emerge, potentially shedding light on the tragic events that led to Rivas’ death and the role of those involved. For now, the community awaits further updates from law enforcement.