Alysa Liu scraps program music as D4vd-linked investigation unfolds
Olympic skater says she will pursue a different direction for the 2025-26 season after news involving D4vd and a missing teen’s death.
Olympic figure skater Alysa Liu said she will drop her planned short program music for the 2025-26 season amid an unfolding investigation involving a 15-year-old girl’s death linked to singer D4vd. The announcement was made in a Wednesday Instagram post by the Oakland, California native, who is among the sport’s most watched young stars. Liu wrote that she and her team are pursuing a direction that aligns with her values and ethos, adding that she would take time to brainstorm new ideas and that fans may still see familiar programs in the interim.
In the post, Liu explained that she recently debuted a new short program for the 25-26 season but, given the latest news, her team has chosen a different path. “As many of you know, I recently debuted a new short program for the ‘25-‘26 season,” Liu, 20, wrote in the caption. “However, in light of recent news, my team & I are confidently pursuing a different direction that aligns with my values & just my overall ethos. I’m eager to start brainstorming new ideas, & I want to ensure my creative process isn’t rushed. So, in the meantime, you may see some familiar programs. Thank you for your ongoing support!”
Liu had planned to skate to “This is How it Feels” by D4vd and Icelandic artist Laufey in her short program ahead of the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics. The move comes as the D4vd-linked case draws continued public and media attention internationaly. Fans of Liu, who has competed at the highest levels from a young age, greeted the news with cautious support, with some commenters praising her decision to align her art with her stated values.
Separately, in a separate development tied to the same artist’s public profile, Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s mutilated body was found over two weeks ago in the trunk of a Tesla sedan sitting in an impound lot in Hollywood Hills, a car registered to singer D4vd. Rivas went missing from Lake Elsinore, California, in 2024, her family told TMZ. Her body, decomposed and wrapped in plastic, was first detected after the car emitted a foul odor, the Los Angeles Times reported. Organizers for a GoFundMe drive dedicated to the girl’s family posted an update identifying Rivas Hernandez as the person found last week, describing her as a beloved daughter, sister, cousin, and friend. The teen’s remains were released to her family for funeral services, TMZ reported. Law enforcement officials have not named Burke, 20, the artist known as D4vd, as a suspect, though investigators searched his Hollywood Hills mansion, and Burke canceled the remainder of his world tour amid the probe.
The absence of a public charging decision underscores that investigators have not confirmed a link between the two public matters beyond the shared involvement of an artist and a vehicle tied to the case. A GoFundMe post and multiple local outlets have noted the tragedy as part of ongoing reporting on the broader D4vd matter. Authorities have urged patience as the investigation continues and have not released additional details about potential suspects or timelines.
This year’s developments illustrate how entertainment and sports news can intersect with criminal investigations, especially when a figure associated with a widely followed artist becomes a touchpoint for public reaction. Liu’s decision to pivot away from the originally planned short program music reflects a broader pattern among athletes who adjust artistic components in response to evolving information and public sentiment. There is no confirmed causal link between Liu’s program change and the D4vd investigation announced in the reports, and representatives for Liu did not indicate any coordination with law enforcement or prosecutors.
Enduring questions remain about the D4vd case: what role, if any, the car and its registrations may play in the investigation, and whether more details will emerge about the person or persons involved. For Liu, the immediate focus is on her skating program and preparation for the 2026 Milan Olympics, with a noted emphasis on creative process rather than a rushed transition. As the situation develops, observers will watch how athletes navigate external events that can influence public perception, branding, and performance choices.
