Liputan6.com, Jakarta Singer d4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, is now in the public spotlight after being officially named a suspect in the investigation into the death of Celeste Rivas.
Rivas was a 15-year-old teenager whose body was found in a gruesome condition in the singer's Tesla.
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The decomposed and mutilated body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez was discovered on September 8, 2025, in the trunk of d4vd's Tesla.
The vehicle was found at a salvage yard in Hollywood, having been abandoned in the Hollywood Hills.
The body, found in a plastic bag, was in a state of severe decomposition, making initial identification difficult.
Although d4vd's suspect status has been confirmed by major media outlets such as TMZ, NBC4, and ABC News, authorities have not officially announced it to the public.
To date, d4vd has not been arrested or formally charged in connection with the teenager's death, but an intensive investigation continues by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
Chronology of the Body Discovery and Victim Identification
The gruesome discovery came when workers at a Hollywood auto salvage yard reported a strong odor coming from an abandoned Tesla.
This odor led to the discovery of Celeste Rivas Hernandez's body in the car's trunk on September 8, 2025.
The body was found in a plastic bag and was so badly decomposed that it was initially difficult to determine its gender.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez was 15 years old when her body was discovered, the day after her 15th birthday.
She was previously reported missing from Lake Elsinore, California, in April 2024, when she was 13.
Rivas's mother had previously revealed to TMZ that her daughter was in a relationship with someone named "David" and that they had matching finger tattoos.
This speculation was furthered by several reports that D4vd also had tattoos that allegedly matched the victim's.
Investigation Updates and Status of d4vd
LAPD investigators are firmly treating Rivas' death as a homicide, given the condition of the body found.
However, an official cause and manner of death have not yet been determined by the medical examiner, and toxicology results are still pending.
Authorities speculate that Rivas likely died in the spring of 2025.
There are strong allegations that d4vd may have assisted in the dismemberment and disposal of the body, a serious allegation that is being investigated.
LAPD sources also stated that d4vd has been uncooperative with the investigation, complicating law enforcement efforts.
As part of the investigation, properties associated with d4vd, including his rental home in the Hollywood Hills, have been searched for blood and other clues.
A private investigator even claimed to have found unusual "farm implements" on the property that "could have been used to dispose of the body."
Burke's lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday evening. A spokesman for the singer said in September that he was “fully cooperating with authorities.”
Further Impact on d4vd
Following the discovery of Rivas' body and his involvement in the investigation, d4vd immediately canceled the remaining dates of his world tour.
Tour cancellations were one of the first indications of major problems.
In September 2025, d4vd also reportedly transferred ownership of two homes in Texas to his mother.
Although d4vd is considered a suspect, authorities stated that an arrest was not "imminent" or "imminent," suggesting a lengthy legal process.
Several of d4vd's songs, including his popular hit "Romantic Homicide," contain imagery of death and violence, such as a woman covered in blood.