Updates on the d4vd Case

Candela Aspiazu

By now, there have been many reports and ongoing investigations surrounding popular 20-year-old singer David Anthony Burke, professionally known by his artist name d4vd. Many fans were shocked when a body was recently discovered in a vehicle registered under Burke’s name, and conflicting media accounts have since left the public questioning the truth behind this pop culture mystery.

On Sept. 8, 2025, employees at a tow yard located in Los Angeles reported a strong odor coming from a recently impounded black Tesla. When police officers went to investigate the scene, they opened the vehicle’s front compartment — discovering human remains that were later identified by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office as 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. According to investigators, the car had been ticketed and impounded several days before the discovery. Records show that a parking enforcement officer marked the car’s tires on Aug. 27. On Sept. 3, it received a citation for violating a 72-hour parking limit.

According to officials, Rivas’ body was believed to have been inside the car several weeks before it was discovered. The Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division claims the cause of death remains undetermined, with toxicology and forensic reports still pending. Detectives are currently analyzing phone records, surveillance footage and digital data to piece together the sequence of events leading to the cause of death. Police have issued search warrants at a residence associated with d4vd and seized several electronic devices, but no arrests or charges have been made as of writing.

D4vd has not made any public comments on the investigation. However, his manager, Josh Marshall, released a statement denying any involvement — saying the singer had “zero knowledge” of how the body came to be in the vehicle. Nevertheless, d4vd canceled the remainder of his 2025 U.S. tour and suspended public appearances. The discovery has fueled widespread public speculation, especially online, where fans and critics have debated a possible connection between the artist and the victim. Some social media users have noted shared tattoos and recurring themes in d4vd’s music, including his 2022 song “Romantic Homicide.” However, police have not confirmed any personal link between him and Rivas. Legal experts emphasize that ownership of the vehicle alone does not constitute criminal liability without concrete evidence directly incriminating the artist.

Ultimately, Celeste Rivas was laid to rest in California on October 6 as her family called for privacy and justice. As the investigation continues, authorities emphasize the importance of patience and caution against misinformation. “We are awaiting full forensic results before making any conclusions,” the Los Angeles Police Department announced. “This is an active and sensitive case.” For now, a considerable amount of uncertainty remains. As new information emerges and law enforcement provides updates, public perception may change.