Romantic homicide or just pure evil?
Celeste Rivas had her whole life ahead of her, having just turned 15 years old this year. Like any other teen, she had dreams and aspirations, celebrity crushes, and personal struggles. But in a tragic turn of events, her life was brutally cut short when, on September 8, her body was discovered in an abandoned car that was registered to 20-year-old singer David Anthony Burke, better known by his stage name d4vd.
Ever since the tragic news first broke, fans have been speculating about the nature of Celeste and d4vd’s relationship. Fans were especially intrigued by d4vd’s 2022 song called Romantic Homicide, whose lyrics read like a confession to murder.
After two months of speculations and wild theories, D4vd has officially been identified as a suspect in connection with Celeste’s death, according to TMZ.
Here is everything that we know for a fact about Celeste Rivas Hernandez and her alleged links to d4vd.
Celeste Rivas was from Lake Elsinore in Riverside County, California — around 80 miles southeast of Hollywood Hills where her body was found in the trunk of an abandoned Tesla registered to d4vd.
She was the first-generation daughter of immigrant parents from El Salvador. The Lakeland Village middle schooler’s exact date of birth has not been disclosed, though she was born around 2010 or 2011.
Her teachers knew her as a bright student who was good at reading and writing and her classmates remembered her as someone who was fun to be around.
Celeste had many hobbies and interests, and dreamed of becoming a singer, model, or even a teacher one day.
She was known among her suburban neighbours and frequented corner stores every day. However, there was something haunting her in her personal life — something she never told anyone.
Celeste had been reported missing since April 2024 when her body was finally discovered and identified on September 8, 2025. But it wasn’t the first time she had run away from home.
The Riverside County Sheriff's Office told the Los Angeles Times that Celeste was first reported missing on Valentine’s Day 2024 and had returned home a few days later.
Her family reported her missing for a second time on March 19, 2024. Again, she returned.
On April 5, 2024, she was reported missing again. This time, she didn’t come back. She was 13 years old at the time.
She reportedly called home in May, and that was the last time her family had heard from her.
After news of Celeste’s death broke, her mother told TMZ that Celeste was dating a man named David.
The grieving mom admitted she had never met the man, but Celeste had told her about him.
Celeste’s body was identified partly due to the tattoo on her right index finger that read “Shhh…” which her mother immediately recognised.
Internet sleuths were quick to discover that d4vd also had the same “Shhh…” tattoo on his right index finger.
Another wild fan theory surfaced that d4vd’s song, Romantic Homicide, was a confession hidden in plain sight. Fans speculated that the song was released on Celeste’s birthday, which remains unknown. However, Romantic Homicide was actually released back in 2024.
In the song, d4vd sings, “In the back of my mind, I killed you / And I didn’t even regret it / I can’t believe I said it / But it’s true… I hate you.”
On September 8, 2025, the Los Angeles Police responded to a call about a Tesla that had been impounded in Hollywood Hills and was emitting a foul odour. The LAPD officers opened up the car and discovered the remains of a body in the trunk.
The car was soon discovered to be registered to d4vd in Hempstead, Texas.
According to the LAPD, Celeste was likely dead for weeks, even months, given that residents had been complaining about the car and the smell as early as August.
On November 22, TMZ reported that when Celeste’s body was found, she had been decapacitated, partially frozen, and her limbs had been removed and cut up into pieces.
On November 18, TMZ reported that d4vd has been identified as a suspect in connection with Celeste Rivas’s death — over two months after her body was found.
Back in September, d4vd’s spokesperson told NBC Los Angeles, “d4vd has been informed about what’s happened. And, although he is still on tour, he is fully cooperating with the authorities.”
Days later, the singer cancelled the remainder of his Withered World tour. Shortly afterwards, the LAPD obtained a warrant to search the Hollywood Hills home where d4vd had been living.
No arrests have been made so far, and the nature of the investigation remains hidden.
Rest in peace, Celeste Rivas.
