Decomposed Teen Found in Singer D4vd’s Tesla

Los Angeles police found the decomposed body of missing teen Celeste Rivas Hernandez inside singer D4vd’s Tesla (image source)

Los Angeles police discovered a badly decomposed body in the front trunk of a Tesla Model Y registered to American singer David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, on 8 September 2025. The victim was identified as 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, missing since April 2024 from Lake Elsinore, California. Investigators have opened a homicide probe but no arrests have been made, and the motive remains unclear.

Investigators responded to a foul odour at a Hollywood impound lot, where workers had parked the abandoned vehicle two days earlier. Inside the front trunk, officers found remains wrapped in a bag. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, the body showed advanced decomposition, suggesting death occurred weeks or months before discovery.

The Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the victim’s identity through forensic tests and distinctive personal markers. “She had a tattoo on her right index finger reading ‘Shhh…,’ which matched family records,” said Chief Medical Examiner Dr Rhonda Coleman. Celeste was described as 5 ft 2 in tall, 71 lbs, with wavy black hair, wearing a tube top, black leggings, metal stud earrings, and a yellow chain bracelet at time of death.

“This remains a baffling case due to the condition of the remains and lack of witnesses,” said LAPD Lt Maria Hernandez. Celeste had been reported missing on 5 April 2024 by her mother after leaving home late at night. Despite previous runaway reports, she always returned—making her prolonged disappearance particularly alarming. Lake Elsinore deputies entered her into the missing-persons database, but leads went cold until the body surfaced in D4vd’s impounded Tesla.

D4vd, 20, is currently on his Withered World Tour and has publicly stated his cooperation with authorities. “He has been informed and is assisting investigators,” said a spokesperson for Burke. Celebrity historian Dr Jane Patel notes that high-profile vehicles often circulate among entourages. “Ownership doesn’t equal control—multiple people could have driven the car at different times,” she explained.

Police have not named any suspects or persons of interest. A search warrant executed near West Hollywood recovered several items for analysis, but forensic chemist John Brooks warns evidence could be compromised. “Heat accelerates decomposition and degrades DNA, making pinpointing time and cause of death challenging,” he said.

David Anthony Burke rose to fame in 2022 when his breakout singles “Here with Me” and “Romantic Homicide” went viral on TikTok. With over 33 million monthly Spotify listeners and a debut album release in April 2025, his sudden brush with tragedy has stunned fans and industry insiders alike.

Investigators emphasize that the vehicle was never reported stolen, and no direct link ties Burke to Celeste’s death. “We are following every lead,” LAPD Sgt Elliot Chang said. “Until we identify who placed her in the trunk, we can’t advance to arrests.”

The coroner’s full toxicology and histology reports are pending.