The mysterious death of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas has left Los Angeles shaken and authorities scrambling for answers. Her decomposed remains were discovered on September 8, 2025, inside a Tesla registered to the 21-year-old singer David Anthony Burke, better known as D4vd. The car had been towed from the Hollywood Hills to an LAPD impound lot, where the grim discovery was made. What made the tragedy even more haunting was that Celeste’s remains were found just one day after what would have been her 15th birthday.
As news spread, speculation erupted online, with fans questioning whether the “Romantic Homicide” singer had any involvement in her death. Many pointed to his song lyrics referencing someone named Celeste and online clips showing a young girl who resembled her, sparking wild theories. However, despite the social media frenzy, law enforcement officials have been careful with their statements. The LAPD has confirmed to Complex that D4vd has not been named a suspect in the case, emphasizing that the investigation is still in its early stages. Since the cause and manner of Celeste’s death have not yet been determined by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, the authorities cannot classify it as a homicide or pursue criminal charges.
In an official statement, a police spokesperson clarified that the available evidence is insufficient to accuse anyone of wrongdoing at this time. They further explained that until the coroner releases their findings, no one—including D4vd—can be officially “cleared” or charged. Meanwhile, representatives for the singer have said that he is fully cooperating with the authorities and has voluntarily canceled the remaining dates of his U.S. and European tour to focus on assisting with the investigation. The LAPD’s statement read: “The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has not yet determined the cause or manner of Ms. Rivas Hernandez’s death. As such, it remains unclear whether there is any criminal culpability beyond the concealment of her body.”
As the case unfolds, new details about D4vd’s recent actions have also surfaced. TMZ reported that in mid to late September—around the time the police searched his properties—the singer transferred ownership of two Houston-area homes from a trust to his mother’s name. The timing raised eyebrows, especially since one of the transfers took place on the same day police responded to a false emergency call at one of his family’s homes. The incident turned out to be a “swatting” hoax, and officers found nothing out of the ordinary after checking on his parents and siblings.
While investigators continue piecing together the events leading up to Celeste’s death, her family has been grieving privately. Earlier this week, she was laid to rest at Queen of Heaven Cemetery & Mortuary in Los Angeles. Friends and relatives gathered to honor her memory, carrying her casket to its final resting place. Celeste had been missing since early 2024 from her home in Lake Elsinore, and her remains were identified through forensic testing and a tattoo on her leg.
The unanswered questions surrounding her death, combined with the high-profile name linked to the case, have made it one of the most unsettling ongoing investigations in Los Angeles. For now, the LAPD awaits the medical examiner’s findings to determine whether Celeste’s death was the result of foul play, an accident, or something else entirely.