Los Angeles police are investigating the death of a Lake Elsinore teenager after authorities found dismembered remains inside a Tesla registered to D4vd, the 20-year-old artist whose real name is David Anthony Burke. In a Sept. 8 discovery at a Hollywood tow yard, officers found partial remains in the front trunk of a black Tesla Model Y that had been on the lot for about two days. The victim has been identified as Celeste Rivas, who was 13 when she was reported missing from her family home in May 2024. Investigators said the remains were in an advanced state of decomposition. No charges have been filed, and no persons of interest have been named as the homicide investigation continues.
Burke rose to prominence on TikTok after making soundtracks for gaming videos, with one song going viral and helping propel him toward stardom. He later reached a wider audience and made his late-night television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in November 2023 at age 18. The ascent brought him into contact with some of the industry’s biggest names, including Pharrell Williams and Billie Eilish, and he opened for SZA on the North American leg of her SOS Tour in fall 2023. He also performed at Coachella earlier in his career. In the days after the discovery, however, the collaborations and support that once buoyed him began to fade as the investigation unfolded and allies reassessed their ties.
Authorities say Celeste Rivas, a Lake Elsinore teen reported missing in May 2024, is the person found in Burke’s impounded Tesla. Investigators are examining social media posts and images that appear to show Burke with the girl, while the relationship between them remains unconfirmed by authorities. Sources close to the girl told the Daily Mail that Burke had been in an underage relationship with Rivas; one source claimed Burke first made contact with her when she was 12. Rivas’s brother, Matthew Rivas, said his sister left home to go to a movie with Burke in May 2024 and never came back. He said Burke would often pick her up in the same Tesla in which her remains were later found. Investigators are reviewing the timeline and communications to determine the nature of their connection.
The controversy has rippled through Burke’s circle. The first major domino was Kari Uchis, a Grammy-winning singer who announced she was working to remove their collaboration from streaming services in light of the news. Dozens of fellow artists and celebrities have unfollowed Burke on Instagram, including Uchis, Tyler, the Creator, Daniel Caesar, Addison Rae, Tate McRae, and Ice Spice. Fortnite’s creators and other collaborators have reportedly cut ties as investigators pursue leads. Interscope Records said it was shelving a planned deluxe release by Burke, and Crocs and Hollister pulled Burke from their marketing campaigns, cropping his image from promotional materials. The company campaigns had debuted just days earlier, with Burke modeling products tied to the brand.
Despite the backlash, Burke remains a popular figure in streaming circles. The artist was reported to be the biggest gainer on Spotify’s Global Artists chart on the week in question, jumping 63 spots to reach the top 100, and he holds tens of millions of monthly listeners. He was touring the United States to promote his debut album, Withered, with stops in Boston, Montreal, and Toronto in late summer and in Detroit, Chicago, and Indianapolis in early September. A Seattle date had been scheduled but was canceled as the investigation intensified; additional dates in Europe, the United Kingdom, and Australia were suspended indefinitely as authorities pursue leads.
The music world has also noted Burke’s public image as a dark, alter-ego-driven artist. He has been associated with the alter-ego Itami, which features in his videos and live shows, and his branding has frequently included blood imagery. His official store briefly carried items tied to that persona before the products were removed. Burke also performed the track Feel It on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, a performance that has since been removed from Colbert’s channels. Burke’s team has not publicly commented on the case, and his attorney, Blair Berk, has not responded to requests for comment. Berk, a high-profile entertainment attorney, has previously represented figures such as Prince Andrew.
Police said officers recovered several items of evidence during the Wednesday search of Burke’s Hollywood Hills rental property, including a laptop, and investigators are analyzing the material for blood and DNA evidence. The LAPD has said the investigation is ongoing and declined to provide further details. A GoFundMe was established to help Rivas’s family as relatives and friends mourn the loss and await further information.