The mysterious Celeste Rivas case continues to baffle both the public and investigators nearly two months after the 14-year-old’s tragic death. Her body was discovered on September 8, 2025, inside the trunk of a Tesla registered to pop artist David Anthony Burke, better known by his stage name D4vd. Despite extensive investigation, officials have yet to determine what exactly happened to the young girl from Lake Elsinore, California. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner is still working to establish the cause and manner of her death—critical details that will dictate how the case proceeds.
As of now, officials have marked the cause of death as “deferred”, meaning the initial autopsy did not provide enough information to determine how Celeste died. This has prompted the medical examiner to order additional testing, including toxicology and advanced forensic studies, to uncover more specific evidence. According to the department, these follow-up tests can take several weeks to several months to complete. Once the results are finalized, investigators will be able to determine whether the case will move forward as a homicide investigation or take a different legal direction altogether.
Legal experts emphasize the importance of the upcoming medical report. Attorney and analyst Alison Triessl told KTLA that toxicology and forensic results often serve as “the turning point in an entire investigation.” They can reveal whether Celeste suffered from strangulation, poisoning, overdose, or physical trauma, and help investigators establish a clearer timeline of events surrounding her final hours. These details are crucial in identifying whether foul play was involved—and if so, who might be responsible.
As for D4vd, the 20-year-old musician best known for his viral track Romantic Homicide, authorities have not yet named him as an official suspect. Law enforcement confirmed that no arrests have been made, though the singer remains at the center of public speculation due to the vehicle’s ownership. His representatives stated that he is cooperating fully with authorities, but D4vd himself has refrained from making any public comments.
Meanwhile, the high-profile case has begun to affect the artist’s career. D4vd’s tour has been canceled, and several of his brand partnerships have reportedly been suspended or terminated as the investigation unfolds. Sources close to the inquiry told Complex that while there is still no definitive evidence pointing toward murder, officials have not ruled out any possibilities.
Until the medical examiner releases the final toxicology and autopsy results, the truth about what happened to Celeste Rivas remains uncertain. Investigators say those results will determine the direction—and potentially the fate—of one of the most shocking and closely watched cases of the year.