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Mystery lingers weeks after missing schoolgirl found dead in pop star D4vd's Tesla

October 18, 2025

Rising TikTok music star D4vd (David Anthony Burke) found himself at the center of a disturbing investigation after the severely decomposed body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was discovered in the front trunk of his Tesla on September 8, 2024. The teenager, who had been reported missing multiple times since February 2024, was found with a tattoo matching one on the singer's finger, raising questions about their relationship. Despite the grim discovery, Los Angeles police have not named any suspects or determined the cause of death, while D4vd has remained silent on the matter except through a spokesperson who stated he is "fully cooperating with authorities.

Who is affected

  • Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the 15-year-old deceased girl whose body was found
  • D4vd (David Anthony Burke), the 20-year-old singer whose career has been paused following the discovery
  • Rivas Hernandez's family, described as "heartbroken and devastated by this tragic loss"
  • D4vd's business associates, including his manager Josh Marshall, who has distanced himself from the singer
  • Malden Trifunovic, the owner of the Hollywood Hills home D4vd was renting
  • Commercial partners who dropped D4vd, including Hollister, Crocs, and artist Kali Uchis

What action is being taken

  • Los Angeles Police Department is conducting an "open death investigation" into Rivas Hernandez's death
  • D4vd is "fully cooperating with authorities" according to his spokesperson
  • D4vd has hired prominent criminal defense attorney Blair Berk, who has represented many celebrities
  • The county's medical examiner is investigating the cause of death, a process that could take months
  • Malden Trifunovic, D4vd's landlord, has hired a private investigator to help uncover what happened
  • Sony Music Publishing has reportedly suspended promotion of D4vd's sophomore album

Why it matters

  • The case involves the death of a minor under suspicious circumstances
  • It raises questions about the potential relationship between a 20-year-old celebrity and a 15-year-old girl, with California's age of consent being 18
  • The discovery has halted the meteoric rise of a significant Gen-Z music star who had achieved billions of streams and major festival appearances
  • The lack of information from authorities has fueled online speculation and amateur investigations
  • The case highlights how quickly a social media-fueled career can be impacted by controversy
  • It represents a high-profile investigation for the LAPD with significant public attention

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC