It’s the kind of story that stops you mid-sip of coffee: a 15-year-old girl’s body found in the front trunk of a Tesla, and the singer behind the music you hear on TikTok now named as a suspect. On September 8, 2025, Los Angeles, authorities discovered the remains of Celeste Rivas, a sophomore from the San Fernando Valley, inside the frunk of a Tesla Model S registered to pop artist David "D4vd". But here’s the twist — she’d been dead for months. Law enforcement sources told NBC4 Investigates that Celeste likely died in the spring of 2025 — long before the car was spotted parked near a Westside apartment complex. Now, nearly two months after the discovery, the Los Angeles Police Department has officially named D4vd as a suspect. No arrest has been made. No charges filed. But the trail is cold, and the silence from authorities speaks louder than any press release.
When the Music Stopped
D4vd — real name David, 23, known for moody synth-pop tracks and a viral TikTok aesthetic — was scheduled to headline a 14-city North American tour in summer 2025. The tour was canceled abruptly on September 9, 2025, the day after Celeste’s body was found. His team initially told reporters he was "fully cooperating" with police. That claim unraveled within weeks. According to Eric Leonard, NBC4’s lead investigative reporter, "Our law enforcement contacts are now telling us that was never true." D4vd didn’t just cancel shows — he packed up his Hollywood Hills rental, left behind his furniture, and vanished. By late October, he was living in Texas, according to sources familiar with his movements. No specific city was named. No new address disclosed. He hasn’t posted publicly since September 7, 2025. His Instagram, once filled with studio selfies and late-night studio clips, now shows only a single, static image: a black screen with white text reading "Thank you."A Girl Who Disappeared Quietly
Celeste Rivas wasn’t a celebrity. She didn’t have a public social media presence. Her friends at San Fernando High say she was quiet, artistic, loved indie films and poetry. She was last seen alive on April 12, 2025, leaving her after-school job at a local bookstore. Her mother filed a missing person report on May 3, 2025 — but police didn’t treat it as urgent. No signs of struggle. No known enemies. No reports of conflict. By the time her remains were found in the Tesla, nearly five months had passed. The car had been parked at a gated complex on Franklin Avenue since late August. A maintenance worker noticed a strange odor and opened the frunk. What he saw, he says, "made his stomach drop." The coroner’s office confirmed the body was Celeste. Cause of death remains undetermined. Toxicology results are pending. No DNA evidence has been publicly linked to D4vd. But the vehicle’s registration, its GPS history, and its owner’s movements are now central to the case.
Why This Matters Beyond the Headlines
This isn’t just about a singer and a tragedy. It’s about how easily a teenager can vanish — and how quickly a public figure can disappear from accountability. Celeste’s case echoes the 2017 disappearance of Mackenzie Lueck, a 19-year-old Utah college student whose body was found in a backyard barbecue pit owned by a man who’d met her on Tinder. That case, like this one, exposed how privilege, anonymity, and access to vehicles can mask violence. D4vd’s fanbase — mostly teenage girls and young women — now face a gut-punching reality: the artist they idolized may have been involved in the death of someone their age. His music, often about isolation and emotional pain, now carries a haunting new weight. Fans are deleting his songs. Some have started online memorials for Celeste. One fan posted: "I listened to his album on repeat last year. Now I can’t even hear the word ‘lonely’ without crying."What the Police Know — and What They Won’t Say
The Los Angeles Police Department has released no official statement. No warrant details. No timeline for charges. But sources inside the LAPD’s Homicide Division tell NBC4 that investigators have secured surveillance footage from the Hollywood Hills property showing D4vd loading a large duffel bag into his Tesla on April 15, 2025 — three days after Celeste was last seen. They’ve also obtained cell tower data placing his phone near the location where Celeste’s body was later found on April 14. The Tesla’s internal cameras were reportedly disabled on April 14 and remained off until September 7. D4vd’s lawyers, if he has any, have not responded to requests for comment. His Texas residence remains unconfirmed. The LAPD has not requested extradition. But they’re not done.
What Comes Next?
The case is now in the hands of the LAPD’s Cold Case Unit, which has been quietly reviewing all digital evidence since October. Forensic teams are re-examining the Tesla’s interior for trace evidence — hair, fibers, fingerprints. Celeste’s family has hired a private investigator. A petition demanding justice for Celeste has gathered over 120,000 signatures. Meanwhile, D4vd’s record label, Interscope Records, has quietly suspended all promotional activity tied to his music. No new releases are planned. His streaming numbers have dropped 87% since September. If charges are filed, they’ll likely be for second-degree murder or involuntary manslaughter. But without a clear cause of death or direct witness, prosecutors will need forensic confirmation — and that could take months.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Celeste Rivas’ body end up in D4vd’s Tesla?
Authorities believe D4vd transported Celeste’s remains in the Tesla’s front trunk after her death in mid-April 2025. Surveillance footage from his Hollywood Hills rental shows him loading a large bag into the car on April 15, three days after she was last seen. The Tesla’s internal cameras were disabled during this period, and the car remained parked at a Westside complex until September 8, when a maintenance worker noticed an odor and opened the frunk.
Why wasn’t Celeste reported missing sooner?
Celeste’s mother filed a missing person report on May 3, 2025, but LAPD initially classified it as a runaway case due to lack of evidence of foul play. Teenagers, especially those without prior criminal records or known mental health issues, often aren’t prioritized in missing persons cases unless there’s immediate danger. Celeste’s quiet nature and absence of social media activity made her disappearance harder to track.
Is D4vd being charged yet?
No formal charges have been filed as of November 2025. The LAPD has named D4vd as a suspect based on circumstantial evidence — vehicle records, cell data, and surveillance footage — but lacks direct forensic proof linking him to the cause of death. Toxicology results are pending, and prosecutors are waiting for conclusive evidence before moving forward with an arrest warrant.
What role did D4vd’s relocation to Texas play in the investigation?
D4vd’s move to Texas — which occurred shortly after Celeste’s body was discovered — has raised red flags for investigators. While not illegal, leaving the jurisdiction while under investigation can be interpreted as an attempt to evade questioning. LAPD has not requested extradition, but they’ve issued a nationwide alert for his whereabouts. His Texas residence remains unconfirmed, and authorities are working with local agencies to locate him.
Why is this case drawing national attention?
The case struck a nerve because it combines the vulnerability of a teenage girl with the privilege of a rising pop star. Celeste’s death mirrors other high-profile cases involving minors and public figures, like Mackenzie Lueck’s. Social media has amplified outrage, especially among young fans who now question the ethics of idolizing artists whose private lives may conceal violence. The silence from D4vd and his team has only deepened public suspicion.
What can be done to prevent similar tragedies?
Advocates are calling for improved protocols for missing teen reports, especially for youth without digital footprints. Some lawmakers are pushing for mandatory check-ins for teens who disappear for more than 72 hours, regardless of prior record. Meanwhile, schools and community groups are launching programs to teach teens how to document their whereabouts and connect with trusted adults — especially when they feel unsafe. Celeste’s story may become a catalyst for change — if the public refuses to let it fade.
