A shocking revelation has cast a dark shadow over D4vd. On September 8, a Tesla registered to the "Romantic Homicide" singer (whose real name is David Anthony Burke) became the center of a grim discovery. After the Los Angeles Police Department received reports of a putrid stench wafting from the vehicle, they uncovered human remains in its front trunk.
Just over a week later, the Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that the remains belonged to 15-year-old Celeste Rivas, who had been reported missing on April 5, 2024. According to records from the medical examiner’s office obtained by E! News, the cause of her death was deferred. While the date of death was listed as September 8—the day her body was found—authorities also noted that her body was "severely decomposed," leading them to suspect it had been in the car for quite some time.
D4vd, who is currently on a North American and European tour to promote his debut album Withered, has not spoken directly about the investigation. However, a spokesperson for the 20-year-old artist confirmed to NBC News that he had been "informed about what’s happened, and although he is still out on tour, he is fully cooperating with the authorities."
D4vd’s career skyrocketed in recent years after he began creating music to accompany Fortnite videos he made for YouTube. He eventually transitioned to TikTok, where many of his songs went viral. Early hits included "Romantic Homicide" and "Here With Me." But D4vd never strayed far from his gaming roots.
In fact, just five days before Rivas’ body was discovered in his car, Fortnite announced that D4vd had penned the game’s first-ever official anthem, a track titled "Locked & Loaded."
"Fortnite has been such a huge part of my life, and it’s what inspired me to make music in the first place," he told Variety in an interview published on September 4. "Being able to create the official anthem for Fortnite feels like a true full-circle moment. Fortnite gave me a platform to be creative and connect with people all over the world, and I wanted to channel that same energy into this song."
He continued, "It’s more than just a song—it’s me giving back to something that’s shaped my journey as an artist. And even now, playing Fortnite is still my true passion."
Despite the grim discovery of Rivas’ body, D4vd has continued with his Withered World Tour. His September 17 concert in Seattle took place shortly after Rivas’ body was identified. He is scheduled to perform his next show in San Francisco on September 19.
