Some troubling days are ahead for rising alt-pop singer D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke. On September 8, 2025, the decomposed remains of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez were found in the front trunk of a 2023 Tesla Model Y registered to the 20-year-old musician.
The disturbing finding at a Hollywood tow yard has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death, with authorities classifying the case as a homicide investigation.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) was alerted to a foul odor emanating from a Tesla impounded at Hollywood Tow, located in the 1000 block of North Mansfield Avenue, on September 8, 2025.
The vehicle, which had been towed after being abandoned in the Hollywood Hills for nearly a month, was registered in Hempstead, Texas, under the name David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd.
Upon inspection, authorities discovered a dismembered body inside a plastic bag in the car’s front trunk, or “frunk.” The remains were later identified through forensic analysis by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office as those of Hernandez, a 15-year-old girl reported missing from Lake Elsinore, California, in April 2024.
Celeste’s body was severely decomposed, and her cause of death has been listed as “deferred,” pending further investigation. According to reports, she was wearing a tube top, black leggings, a yellow bracelet, and metal stud earrings at the time of discovery.
Notably, both Celeste and D4vd reportedly had matching tattoos reading “Shhh…” on their right index fingers, a detail that has drawn significant attention and speculation.
A Missing Teen’s Tragic End
Celeste Rivas Hernandez, described as 5-foot-1 and approximately 71 pounds, had been missing for over a year before her remains were found. Her mother, speaking to TMZ, revealed that Celeste had a boyfriend named David, fueling speculation about a possible connection to D4vd.
The matching tattoos and the fact that the Tesla was registered to the singer have intensified public interest in the case. However, authorities have stated that D4vd is not currently considered a suspect and is fully cooperating with the investigation.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office had reported Celeste missing on April 5, 2024, when she was just 13 years old. Neighbors told CBS News Los Angeles that Celeste had gone missing on multiple occasions and was known to have a boyfriend named David, with whom she shared the distinctive tattoo.
Who Is D4vd?
D4vd, born David Anthony Burke, is a Houston-born singer-songwriter who rose to fame through viral success on TikTok and SoundCloud. Known for hits like “Romantic Homicide” and “Here With Me,” the 20-year-old has amassed over 34 million monthly listeners on Spotify, blending indie, R&B, and alt-pop sounds.
Currently on his U.S. “Withered” tour, D4vd was not in Southern California at the time of the discovery, as he was performing in Minneapolis, according to reports.
Following the discovery, the singer canceled a scheduled performance in Seattle on September 17, 2025.
Additionally, he was dropped from brand campaigns with Crocs and Hollister, which had featured him in their Dream Drop collection launched on September 3, 2025. Neighbors noted that the vehicle had been moved several times over the preceding three months.
The LAPD has confirmed that the car was never reported stolen, and investigators are exploring how Celeste’s remains ended up in the vehicle.
