Indie singer David Anthony Burke, better known as D4vd, has been at the center of controversy after the body of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas was found in the trunk of a Tesla registered under his name in Los Angeles. The shocking discovery quickly led to online rumors, with people sharing supposed photos and videos claiming to link the artist to the teen. Now, new reports say D4vd’s family has also become a target, adding another troubling layer to the ongoing case.
Just days after Celeste’s body was identified, police in Texas responded to an emergency call at D4vd’s family home in Hampstead. The call claimed there was an active shooter inside and that someone had been shot. Officers arrived quickly and were met by D4vd’s parents, who assured them everyone was safe. Bodycam footage later showed the singer’s mother explaining calmly that only she, her husband, and their two children were home, and no one was hurt. After checking the property, police confirmed there was no threat. The whole thing turned out to be a “swatting” incident — a hoax meant to trigger a heavy armed police response. The false report left D4vd’s family shaken and worried that the situation around Celeste’s death was spiraling out of control.
Despite all the public attention, D4vd has not been arrested or named a suspect. Legal experts say the fact that Celeste’s body was found in a car registered to him isn’t enough to make an arrest. On Good Morning America, ABC News legal contributor Brian Buckmire explained that investigators don’t have enough proof to question or detain him. Without clear evidence connecting him to the death, police cannot move forward with charges.
As for what’s known about the case, Celeste Rivas was reported missing in April 2024. Over a year later, on September 8, 2025, Los Angeles residents reported a foul odor coming from an abandoned Tesla. Police discovered human remains inside, and through forensic testing and a tattoo on her leg, the victim was identified as Celeste. The car was registered under D4vd’s name.
Since then, his representatives have said the singer is fully cooperating with the investigation. His manager, Josh Marshall, spoke out on TikTok, saying he had no knowledge of anything related to the case and explained that he barely interacts with D4vd in his day-to-day work.
Right now, the investigation is still ongoing, and while rumors continue to swirl online, authorities have not linked D4vd directly to Celeste’s death. The situation remains tense as both the artist and his family deal with growing public scrutiny and online harassment.