In brief
Authorities have confirmed that the decomposing body found in a Tesla, linked to popular singer D4vd, was that of Celeste Rivas, a 15-year-old girl who went missing in April 2024. The police are still working to establish the cause and time of her death, and investigations are ongoing.
A decomposing body found in a car registered to singer D4vd has been identified as a missing 15-year-old girl, US authorities say.
Police officers discovered the remains of Celeste Rivas inside the boot of the impounded Tesla on 8 September, after responding to reports of a foul smell at the Hollywood tow yard in Los Angeles.
Authorities said both the cause and time of her death remained unknown.
Rivas, from Lake Elsinore in California, was 13 at the time of her disappearance and was last seen on 5 April 2024, according to a missing person flyer cited by CBS.
Earlier, officers stated that the Tesla was likely to have been at the Hollywood tow yard for a couple of days before the remains were found.
The car, which has a Texas licence plate, was towed from the Hollywood Hills after it was abandoned five days earlier.
The car is registered to 20-year-old David Anthony Burke, the official name of singer D4vd.
Last week, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner reported the deceased was 5ft 2in tall, had wavy black hair, and was wearing a tube top and black leggings. The remains also bore a tattoo on the right index finger that read: Shhh. The condition of the remains indicated an extended period of time since death, according to law enforcement sources.
D4vd, who has millions of followers on social media, is best known for his viral hits like Here With Me and Romantic Homicide. He released his debut album in April and was on tour when the remains were discovered in the Tesla. Following the incident, his scheduled show in Seattle has been cancelled.
Police report that D4vd is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
