When the body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas was found in the front trunk of a Tesla on September 8, 2025, Los Angeles authorities treated it as a grim missing persons case. But by November 18, 2025, the investigation had shifted dramatically — the LAPD had identified pop singer D4vd (legal name David) as a suspect in her death. The vehicle, registered to D4vd, had sat parked in Los Angeles for months while Celeste’s remains went undetected — a chilling detail that turned a local tragedy into a national story.
The Discovery That Changed Everything
Celeste Rivas vanished from Riverside County, California in April 2024. Her family reported her missing, but without leads, the case grew cold. Then, on September 8, 2025, a routine traffic stop near the San Fernando Valley uncovered her body inside the front trunk of a black Tesla Model S. The car’s registration linked it directly to D4vd, a 24-year-old rising star known for moody, synth-driven pop hits with millions of streams on Spotify. The discovery prompted the LAPD to reclassify the case from missing persons to homicide.A Timeline That Doesn’t Add Up
NBC4 Investigates, led by reporter Eric Leonard, uncovered a timeline that raised serious red flags. Forensic analysis determined Celeste died in spring 2025 — meaning she was alive for nearly a year after her last known sighting in April 2024. That’s 17 months missing before death, and then another four months with her body hidden in plain sight. The car was parked in Los Angeles County during that entire time. D4vd, who lived in a rented Hollywood Hills home, canceled his entire tour days after the discovery. He vacated the property, sold his belongings, and moved to Texas — all without notifying authorities.Cooperation? Not Even Close
Initially, a representative for D4vd told NBC4 the artist was “cooperating with police.” But that claim, aired on September 12, 2025, was quickly revealed as false. By November 18, 2025, NBC4’s law enforcement sources confirmed: D4vd had never spoken to investigators. No interviews. No statements. No voluntary visits to the station. “He disappeared,” one officer told Leonard. “And he didn’t just leave town — he erased his trail.” The Tesla remains evidence, sealed in LAPD storage. Investigators are still analyzing the vehicle’s interior for trace evidence — fibers, DNA, digital data from the car’s onboard systems. No cause of death has been released. The memorial in Riverside County, California still bears flowers and handwritten notes — “RIP Celeste, 2010–2025” — but her family has refused all media requests since the suspect announcement.Why This Case Resonates
D4vd isn’t just any musician. He’s part of a new wave of Gen Z artists who built massive followings on TikTok and SoundCloud with emotionally raw lyrics about isolation and mental health. His fans — many of them teenagers — saw him as a voice for the quiet, the broken, the misunderstood. Now, that image is shattered. The dissonance between his public persona and the allegations is what makes this case feel surreal. How could someone who sings about loneliness be connected to such a brutal, hidden death? The LAPD’s shift from missing persons to homicide hinges on two things: the forensic timeline and the suspicious behavior. D4vd’s relocation to Texas, his silence, and his failure to report Celeste missing — despite allegedly having a personal relationship with her — are being treated as indicators of guilt under California’s legal framework. No charges have been filed yet. But the case is moving fast.
What Happens Next?
Prosecutors in Los Angeles County are now reviewing evidence to determine whether to seek an arrest warrant. D4vd is believed to be in Texas, but no extradition request has been made public. If charges are filed, they could include murder, concealment of a corpse, and failure to report a death. The LAPD has not named any other suspects. Celeste’s phone, social media accounts, and any communications with D4vd are under forensic review. Meanwhile, the music industry is watching. Streaming platforms have pulled his music from curated playlists. His label, Interscope Records, has issued no public statement. His upcoming album, scheduled for release in December 2025, is now in limbo.The Family’s Silence
The most haunting part of this story? The silence from Celeste’s family. They’ve never spoken on camera. No press conferences. No social media posts since April 2024. A relative told NBC4 that Celeste and D4vd had been “close” — but declined to say how or for how long. Their silence isn’t just grief. It’s strategic. They’re waiting for the legal process to unfold — and they know, better than anyone, that words now could hurt their daughter’s memory.Frequently Asked Questions
How did the LAPD determine Celeste Rivas died in spring 2025?
Forensic pathologists used entomological evidence — insect development stages found on the remains — combined with tissue degradation analysis to pinpoint the time of death. The findings placed her death between March and May 2025, contradicting earlier assumptions that she disappeared and died in April 2024. This timeline was critical in shifting the case from missing persons to homicide.
Why is D4vd’s relocation to Texas significant?
Under California law, fleeing the state after a crime is considered evidence of consciousness of guilt. D4vd didn’t just leave — he abandoned his rental, canceled his tour, and cut off communication. Authorities believe he moved to avoid detection. Texas has no extradition treaty with California for non-violent offenses, but murder is an exception — meaning he can be brought back if charged.
What role did the Tesla play in the investigation?
The Tesla’s onboard systems — including GPS logs, camera feeds (if enabled), and biometric access records — are being analyzed. The car was parked at D4vd’s Hollywood Hills rental for over four months. Investigators are looking for timestamps that match Celeste’s disappearance window and any signs of forced entry or cleaning attempts. The vehicle’s registration under D4vd’s name directly ties him to the crime scene.
Has D4vd ever publicly mentioned Celeste Rivas?
No. His lyrics, social media, and interviews from 2024 to 2025 make no reference to her. Fans have scoured his content for hidden clues — but found none. This absence is unusual given his emotionally candid style. Investigators believe this silence, combined with his actions after the discovery, suggests deliberate concealment rather than ignorance.
Could this case lead to changes in how missing teens are tracked?
Yes. Celeste’s case highlights a gap in how law enforcement handles missing teens who vanish from low-surveillance areas like Riverside County. Advocates are pushing for mandatory cross-agency alerts when a minor disappears near a celebrity’s known location. Some lawmakers are also proposing laws requiring vehicle owners to report unexplained long-term parking of vehicles linked to missing persons cases.
What’s the status of D4vd’s music and career now?
His music has been removed from all major curated playlists on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. His label, Interscope Records, has suspended all promotional activity. While he hasn’t been formally charged, streaming numbers have dropped 92% since November 18. Industry insiders say his career is effectively on hold — and may never recover, regardless of legal outcomes.
