Movers Clear D4vd’s Hollywood Hills Mansion as Investigation Ties Tesla Disappearance to Teen
Police probe into the disappearance of Celeste Rivas expands as remains are found in a car linked to the performer; investigators study alleged relationships and possible charges.
LOS ANGELES — A homicide investigation surrounding the disappearance of 13-year-old Celeste Rivas intensified on Tuesday as investigators found dismembered remains inside the front trunk of a Tesla associated with D4vd, the musician whose real name is David Anthony Burke.
Rivas had been reported missing in May 2024 from Lake Elsinore, California, by her family. Police said the remains were recovered on September 8 from the impounded vehicle, which had been linked to Burke after an investigation that began with concerns about his relationship with the girl. The car had been seized days earlier, and investigators were examining the circumstances surrounding her disappearance as they pursued possible criminal charges.
The case has expanded beyond the car at the tow yard to a Hollywood Hills residence tied to Burke. A rental property owned by Burke’s manager, Josh Marshall, where Burke and his team had lived, was raided about a week before the discovery. Movers later cleared out Burke’s belongings and those of his manager, according to exclusive photographs obtained by the Daily Mail. The $4.1 million home had been leased in Marshall’s name, and the homeowner, Mladen Trifunovic, said the tenants asked to terminate the lease in the wake of the ongoing investigation.
Law-enforcement officials said they were continuing to examine evidence recovered at the property, including material collected in the days after the raid. A police spokesperson told the Daily Mail there were no public updates on arrests, but investigators remained active in the probe. Burke has not publicly commented since the discovery, and his attorney, Blair Berk, has not issued a statement in response to requests for comment.
A former federal prosecutor consulted by the Daily Mail offered a theory about why no arrests had been announced, given the apparent severity of the case. Rahmani, who founded West Coast Trial Lawyers and previously worked for the Department of Justice, suggested that prosecutors could pursue charges such as statutory rape, kidnapping, and trafficking if Rivas had indeed been in a sexual relationship with Burke. He cautioned that multiple lines of inquiry could complicate the timeline for charges, noting that in his experience the timeline can vary significantly by case complexity and the availability of corroborating evidence.
The investigation continues to center on whether Rivas's disappearance was connected to Burke or other individuals associated with him. Sources cited by outlets described Rivas’s home life as fractured and complicated, with claims that she had run away from home several times before vanishing in May 2024. Investigators are said to be reviewing her personal history and communications to determine whether any relationships or exchanges could have contributed to her disappearance.
The medical examiner’s office has released only partial information about the remains; authorities have not yet determined a cause or time of death. Officials did confirm that Rivas’s remains were found dismembered and wrapped in plastic inside the trunk of the Tesla. The coroner’s office has returned some remains to family members, but a complete determination of cause and time of death has not been issued.
Burke, who rose to prominence on TikTok and has performed on national stages, has been publicly silent on the matter. He had been performing on the U.S. leg of his Withered World Tour when Rivas’s remains were discovered. His team has coordinated with counsel on the case, but there has been no public update from Burke directly.
Authorities have not publicly named a suspect or person of interest in connection with the case. In public statements, LAPD representatives have emphasized that the investigation remains active and ongoing. The department declined to comment on whether Burke is cooperating or whether any new searches or arrests are anticipated in the near term. As the case unfolds, investigators are expected to pursue additional interviews, search warrants, and forensic testing to build the evidentiary record that could lead to charges, if supported by the facts.
The case has drawn attention to the relationship dynamics alleged by several sources close to the investigation. They describe an environment in which a young person could have been influenced or placed in risky situations, and they caution against drawing conclusions before investigators complete their work. The public watch has grown as officials examine whether other witnesses or associates may have relevant information, and whether communications or digital footprints could shed further light on the timeline of events leading up to Rivas’s disappearance and the discovery of the remains.
As investigators continue to assemble the timeline, the focus remains on determining the sequence of events that led to Rivas’s disappearance, the role of Burke and any potential accomplices, and whether additional charges may be warranted based on evidence collected to date. With no arrests announced publicly, authorities say the inquiry persists, and they are pursuing every lead available to them in this high-profile case.