Authorities have identified human remains found in the trunk of R&B singer D4vd’s Tesla as those of a 15-year-old girl reported missing last year in Riverside County.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office announced Wednesday the remains were of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas, who was reported missing April 5, 2024, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office. The cause of death has not yet been released, but her death is considered a homicide.
The girl’s severely decomposed body was found in the vehicle at Hollywood Tow on Sept. 8 after it was impounded, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Someone noticed a foul odor coming from the vehicle and detectives arrived at the tow yard to investigate.
The Tesla is registered to 20-year-old musician D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke. The singer was on tour when the girl’s remains were found, according to authorities.
The medical examiner said Rivas had a tattoo on her right index finger that said “Shhh…” and a woman who identified herself as the girl’s mother contacted the publication TMZ to say she believed the body was that of her daughter. Recent photos of Burke appear to show a “Shhh” tattoo on his right index finger. A performance scheduled for Wednesday was canceled.
Burke was raised in Houston, Texas, and has collaborated with musicians Kali Uchis, Stray Kids’ Hyunjin, Laufey and 21 Savage. He also created an anthem for the game Fortnite and has multiple songs that have charted on Billboard’s Hot 100.
Law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation not authorized to discuss the case publicly said the vehicle was abandoned in the Hollywood Hills five days before it was impounded.
Rivas was wearing a tube top and small black leggings when her body was found, according to the medical examiner’s office. She had wavy black hair, a metal stud earring and yellow metal chain bracelet.
“The decedent was found severely decomposed inside a vehicle,” reads a statement from the medical examiner’s office. “She appears to have been deceased inside the vehicle for an extended period of time before being found.”
Authorities have not said if Rivas had any prior contact with Burke.
Burke is cooperating with police, according to authorities. He’s scheduled to perform at the Greek Theatre on Saturday and has a sold-out show at the Grammy Museum on Sept. 24. A spokesperson for the musician did not immediately respond to a request for comment.