At a Glance
- Singer D4vd named as suspect in the death of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas.
- Rivas’s decomposed body was recovered on Sept. 8 in the front trunk of a Tesla that was impounded at a Los Angeles tow yard.
- A friend of D4vd was jailed in Montana on a warrant after failing to appear as a witness in Los Angeles.
Why it matters: The investigation ties a popular musician to a fatal disappearance, raising questions about the handling of the case and the safety of public figures.
A singer’s name has become synonymous with a tragic disappearance when D4vd was identified as a suspect in the death of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas. The case, still under investigation by the LAPD, involves a Tesla found abandoned in the Hollywood Hills and a friend of the artist jailed in Montana.
Investigation Overview
The Los Angeles Police Department has confirmed that D4vd is a suspect in the death of Celeste Rivas. An LAPD source with direct knowledge of the investigation noted that the singer has not cooperated with authorities.
Police say the death likely occurred in the spring of 2024, and that D4vd may have had assistance in disposing of the body. The investigation remains ongoing.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 5, 2024 | Celeste Rivas last seen in the western Riverside County community. |
| Sept. 8 | Workers at Hollywood Tow reported a strong odor coming from a Tesla registered to D4vd. Officers opened the front trunk and found a bag containing Rivas’s decomposed remains. |
| Jan. 22 | Neo Langston, 23, was arrested in Lewis and Clark County, Montana, on an unspecified warrant. |
| November | D4vd was identified by LAPD as a suspect in Rivas’s death. |
| Aug. 5 | D4vd‘s world tour began. |
| Aug. 6 | Tour stop in Kansas City. |
| Date unspecified | D4vd‘s scheduled show at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles was canceled. |
D4vd’s Background
Singer-songwriter D4vd, legal name David Burke, first gained popularity on TikTok where he amassed 3.6 million followers. He signed with Darkroom and Interscope Records after several viral hits.
Born in Queens, New York, Burke moved to Texas during his early teens. There he built a fan base on YouTube playing Fortnite and other online games before transitioning to original music.
In April, he released his debut album, Withered, and embarked on a world tour that started on Aug. 5.
In an interview on the Zach Sang Show, D4vd explained that the “4” in his stage name replaces the letter “a” for search-engine optimization and represents four cinematic universes he is creating.
Celeste Rivas’s Story
Celeste Rivas vanished from the Lake Elsinore area in 2024. Her disappearance was first reported on April 5, 2024.
The medical examiner is still working to determine the cause of death. Forensics identified Rivas through DNA and other evidence, leading investigators to the Tesla found at Hollywood Tow.
Her brother, Matthew Rivas, told the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department that family members in Lake Elsinore were aware that Celeste had known D4vd. He said the girl was on her way to see a movie with him when she disappeared and never returned.
Legal Proceedings
A friend of D4vd was jailed on an out-of-state warrant in Montana after failing to appear as a witness in Los Angeles. Law enforcement sources told NBC4 Investigates that the detention of Neo Langston in Lewis and Clark County is being examined for possible links to the grand jury hearing witnesses in the killing of Celeste Rivas.
County jail records indicate Langston was arrested on Jan. 22 and held on an unspecified warrant.
The LAPD investigation into Rivas’s death remains active, with authorities continuing to collect evidence and interview witnesses.
Current Status
- The body remains in the possession of the Los Angeles tow yard.
- D4vd is not cooperating with investigators.
- The legal case involving Langston is under review for potential connections to the murder.
- The LAPD has not released further details about the suspect’s alleged involvement.
Key Takeaways
- D4vd has been named a suspect in the death of a 15-year-old girl found in a Tesla.
- A friend of the singer was jailed in Montana for failing to appear as a witness.
- The investigation is ongoing, with authorities still determining the cause of death and potential accomplices.
- Celeste Rivas’s family maintains that she knew the singer before her disappearance.
- The case highlights the intersection of celebrity, law enforcement, and public safety.
The investigation continues to unfold as authorities seek to clarify the circumstances surrounding Celeste Rivas’s disappearance and the alleged role of D4vd.
