A grim discovery in a Hollywood tow yard has thrust rising indie singer D4vd into an unfolding mystery, as authorities identified a decomposing body found in one of his registered vehicles as 15-year-old Celeste Rivas. The teen, reported missing from Lake Elsinore since last year, was discovered on September 8, 2025, in the front trunk of a towed Tesla, sparking a homicide investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department. With no arrests yet and the cause of death pending, this shocking case blends celebrity intrigue with a tragic tale of a young girl’s disappearance, drawing widespread attention amid D4vd’s ongoing world tour.

The Discovery: A Foul Odor Leads to Horror

It started with a routine call to an impound lot in Hollywood on September 8, 2025. LAPD officers responded to reports of a foul odor emanating from an abandoned Tesla, which had been towed from a nearby street just two days prior. Upon inspection, they uncovered a female body in a state of advanced decomposition inside the vehicle’s front trunk—a detail that has investigators piecing together a timeline potentially spanning months.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed the victim’s identity as Celeste Rivas, a 15-year-old from Lake Elsinore in Riverside County. Reported missing in 2024, Rivas hadn’t been seen or heard from since, according to investigators. Described as 5-foot-1 with wavy black hair, she was last seen wearing a tube top and black leggings, adorned with a yellow metal bracelet, metal stud earrings, and a distinctive “Shhh…” tattoo on her right index finger. The extent of decomposition suggests she may have been deceased for an extended period, complicating efforts to determine the exact circumstances of her death.

The Vehicle: Linked to Singer D4vd

The Tesla in question is registered to 20-year-old David Anthony Burke, better known as D4vd, the Houston-born TikTok sensation turned indie R&B artist. A senior LAPD source noted that the vehicle is one of several owned by the musician, who often shares access with friends, collaborators, and associates—making it challenging to trace recent users. Abandoned on a Hollywood street before towing, the car sat unnoticed until the odor prompted the grisly find.

D4vd, with 3.8 million TikTok followers and a burgeoning fanbase for his alt-pop sound, skyrocketed to fame through viral tracks like “Romantic Homicide.” He released his debut album in April 2025 and is currently on his “Withered” world tour. Notably, his Seattle stop on Wednesday, September 17, was abruptly canceled, while a Los Angeles performance remains scheduled for Saturday, September 20. Representatives and lawyers for D4vd have not responded to requests for comment, leaving fans and media speculating on any potential connections.

Celeste Rivas: A Missing Teen’s Tragic End

Celeste Rivas’ story adds a heartbreaking layer to this investigation. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office had been searching for the teen since her disappearance last year, with limited leads until this breakthrough. Friends and family described her as vibrant and outgoing, but details on her last known whereabouts or possible ties to Los Angeles remain scarce. The discovery has renewed calls for public tips, as detectives from the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division lead the probe into how she ended up in the Tesla and what foul play—if any—may have been involved.

Investigation Status: Cause of Death Pending, No Suspects

As of September 17, 2025, the cause of Rivas’ death is still under determination by the medical examiner, with early indications pointing to a suspicious nature given the body’s condition and location. No arrests have been made, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. The case’s ties to a celebrity-owned vehicle have amplified media coverage, but police emphasize that D4vd is not currently a suspect—focus remains on unraveling the timeline from Rivas’ disappearance to the tow yard horror.

This development comes amid heightened scrutiny on missing persons cases involving youth, highlighting gaps in tracking and response systems. Riverside County officials have released a photo of Rivas to jog public memory, emphasizing her youth and the urgency for closure.

Impact on D4vd’s Career and Public Perception

For D4vd, whose meteoric rise from TikTok clips to sold-out tours has defined Gen-Z music trends, this association couldn’t come at a worse time. His “Withered” tour, promoting introspective themes of love and loss, now faces overshadowed headlines. The Seattle cancellation—officially attributed to scheduling but whispered as tour jitters—has fueled online chatter, with fans expressing support while others demand transparency. As an artist known for vulnerability in lyrics, D4vd’s silence so far leaves room for speculation, but it also underscores the unintended spotlight fame can cast on personal circles.

The identification of Celeste Rivas in D4vd’s towed Tesla marks a somber intersection of celebrity and crime, turning a missing teen’s unresolved story into a national headline. As the LAPD delves deeper, questions linger: How did a Riverside girl end up in a Hollywood impound lot? And what role, if any, does the singer’s orbit play? This case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities hidden behind glamour, urging swift justice for Rivas and answers for a grieving community. Stay updated as the investigation unfolds—public vigilance could be key to cracking this mystery.