A Hollywood Hills residence where rising star D4vd had been residing became the focus of an overnight search operation, law enforcement sources revealed exclusively to ABC News on Thursday. This development unfolded as authorities intensified their investigation into the tragic death of a teenage girl whose lifeless body was discovered in the trunk of a Tesla registered to the 20-year-old singer.
According to the sources, a search warrant was executed at the property, which D4vd did not own but had been using as a temporary abode. Los Angeles Police Department detectives were observed removing a computer and several other items of interest from the premises during the operation.
The LAPD confirmed on Thursday that the search warrant was directly linked to the ongoing inquiry into the teenager's demise. "Several pieces of evidence were collected and will undergo thorough analysis by detectives in the coming days," the LAPD stated in an official release. "This remains an active investigation. Our team is pursuing multiple leads diligently."
The unfolding drama came on the heels of the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office identifying the female body found last week in the trunk of a towed Tesla, registered to D4vd, as 15-year-old Celeste Rivas from Lake Elsinore. Investigators confirmed to ABC News that Rivas had been reported missing the previous year.
The body was discovered in the Tesla's front trunk on September 8, two days after the vehicle had been towed from a Los Angeles street, according to police sources. One neighbor recalled noticing the distinctive Tesla parked on the street for an extended period—initially in front of the house that was later searched, and subsequently in two other spots along the street.
"It was a bit strange to see a car that I hadn't noticed around here for a while," Hollywood resident Paymin Danielpour shared in an interview with ABC7. "It had a significant dent, a Texas license plate. All a bit unusual, but then again, people could be staying with friends for a long time."
The circumstances surrounding Rivas' death and how she ended up in the trunk remain shrouded in mystery, investigators told ABC News. The cause of death is still pending determination.
The LAPD's Robbery-Homicide Division is spearheading the investigation into the teen's death. Notably, the case is not classified as a homicide investigation at this juncture, as authorities have yet to ascertain the cause of Rivas' demise, law enforcement sources informed ABC News.
The case hinges on the medical examiner's ability to determine a cause of death, a task that is proving challenging, the sources added. No arrests have been made thus far.
The LAPD reiterated to ABC News on Thursday that they are actively pursuing leads in the case as they strive to advance the investigation.
Police responded to an impound lot in Hollywood on September 8 "due to a foul odor emanating from a vehicle," the LAPD recounted. Authorities found a decomposing body in the front trunk of the Tesla, LAPD sources said.
The victim was described as approximately 5-foot-1 with wavy black hair, wearing a tube top, black leggings, a yellow metal bracelet, and metal stud earrings, according to the medical examiner. She also had a tattoo on her right index finger that read "Shhh..."
The Tesla is registered to David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, a senior LAPD source confirmed. It is one of several vehicles owned by the singer, with numerous individuals having access to any of the vehicles at any given time, the source added.
ABC News reached out to D4vd's representative and lawyer for comment but received no response.
D4vd, who first gained viral fame on TikTok, where he boasts 3.8 million followers, released his debut album in April. The singer, renowned for his indie, R&B, and alt-pop sound, has been on tour since August. The tour's scheduled stop in Seattle on Wednesday was canceled, with upcoming shows set for San Francisco on Friday and Los Angeles on Saturday.
