R&B artist David Burke, known to fans as d4vd, became a breakout star with viral hits like “Here With Me” and “Romantic Homicide.” But in September 2025, his career collided with tragedy. Authorities discovered the body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernández inside his Tesla in Los Angeles. The case has dominated headlines and fueled intense social media speculation. Many fans keep asking the same question: Why hasn’t d4vd been arrested?

Law enforcement officials say the investigation is ongoing. The manner of death has been ruled a homicide, but the cause of death remains deferred. Police cannot establish criminal culpability beyond the concealment of her body without determining exactly how Celeste died. Until toxicology and forensic testing provide answers, no arrest can be made.

The Discovery of Celeste Rivas

On September 8, 2025, Los Angeles authorities discovered the body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernández inside a Tesla registered to David Burke. Authorities had towed the vehicle from Hollywood after it sat parked in the Hollywood Hills for weeks. The car accumulated multiple parking tickets, and neighbors reported a foul odor.

Police searched the impounded vehicle and found heavily decomposed human remains wrapped in a plastic bag inside the front trunk. Officials believe Rivas had been dead for several weeks before being found. The condition of the body complicated the autopsy, leaving toxicology testing and additional forensic analysis as the primary methods for determining what happened.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner identified her and issued a death certificate. She was not pregnant at the time of her death. Authorities have classified the manner of death as a homicide, yet the cause remains deferred pending test results.

Who Was Celeste Rivas?

Rivas was a teenager from Lake Elsinore, California. Authorities reported her missing multiple times in 2024. She was first reported missing at age 13 in April, and authorities reported her missing at least two more times that year.

Friends of Burke told reporters they believed she was 19 and a USC student. She often accompanied him to social gatherings, clubs, and parties. Law enforcement later confirmed she possessed multiple fake IDs, which likely gave her access to age-restricted venues. Burke’s friends described both as shy and quiet. Celeste appeared to follow his lead in nearly everything.

Her sudden death has devastated her family. A GoFundMe campaign for her funeral raised over $24,000. Meanwhile, the tragedy has intensified questions about why d4vd hasn’t been arrested, despite the circumstantial evidence. A memorial service was scheduled for early October 2025.

What Investigators Know About the D4vd Case

The Los Angeles Police Department Robbery-Homicide Division has investigated Rivas’s death since September. LAPD Captain Scot Williams confirmed key details: authorities towed the Tesla after it sat parked for several weeks, and Celeste had likely been dead for several weeks before discovery. Williams stated clearly: “We know for sure that Celeste Rivas Hernandez died and someone placed her body in the front trunk area of David Burke’s Tesla.”

Meanwhile, the investigation remains active. LAPD executed a search warrant at a Hollywood Hills home where Burke had stayed. Investigators seized computers and other electronic devices for forensic analysis. Burke canceled his U.S. tour dates and several European shows shortly after authorities identified Rivas’s body. Subsequently, Burke ended his Los Angeles lease.

Police have not named Burke or anyone else as a suspect. In fact, the LAPD stated it clearly: without medical confirmation of the cause of death, they cannot determine if anyone has criminal culpability beyond the concealment of her body.

Why D4vd Hasn’t Been Arrested?

The answer comes down to legal process and forensic evidence. Investigators need probable cause to arrest d4vd, but right now they don’t have it.

Authorities have ruled the manner of death a homicide, yet the cause of death remains undetermined. Consequently, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner deferred the cause of death, requiring additional testing and studies to make that determination. Without knowing exactly how Celeste died, prosecutors cannot file charges against d4vd. Was it strangulation? Blunt force trauma? Poisoning? Overdose? Another cause? The answer remains unclear.

LAPD Captain Williams explained the situation clearly: it remains unclear whether criminal culpability exists beyond the concealment of her body. Circumstantial associations exist. Her body was discovered in Burke’s car. However, circumstantial evidence is not enough to build a criminal case. Investigators need forensic evidence directly linking someone to her death.

For this reason, police have cautioned against rushing forward. Naming a suspect without sufficient evidence could compromise the entire investigation.

Why Online Pressure for D4vd’s Arrest Isn’t Enough

Police move carefully, but social media has not. On TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram, fans and critics have circulated theories. Many point fingers at Burke. Viral posts dissect his lyrics, stage presence, music videos, and tour cancellations as supposed “clues.”

A resurfaced podcast interview shows Burke discussing the dark inspiration behind “Romantic Homicide.” In the interview, he explained he created an alter ego based on an anime detective with a murderous side, similar to Fight Club’s Tyler Durden.

His music videos feature graphic imagery. For instance, one video shows what appears to be a blindfolded d4vd in a bloodied shirt standing by as two people put a body in a car trunk. Another video depicts a girl’s arm being cut off. Additionally, reports surfaced of Discord messages from October 2022 showing Burke, then 17, messaging a user named “celeste.” She would have been 12 at the time. Someone leaked an unreleased song addressed to someone named Celeste.

Nevertheless, officials warn that public speculation is not a substitute for forensic evidence. Toxicology results and autopsy findings will be the deciding factors. These results will determine whether authorities can arrest d4vd and advance the case toward criminal charges. Until then, theories remain just that: theories.

What Happens Next?

Ultimately, the case now depends on science. Toxicology tests can take weeks or months and may reveal drugs, alcohol, poisons, or other substances in Rivas’s system. This could help establish whether her death was accidental, the result of an overdose, or caused by foul play. The autopsy results will determine the cause of death. Was it strangulation? Blunt force trauma? Poisoning? Another method?

If the cause of death points to criminal action, police would then need to determine who was responsible and build a prosecutable case with direct evidence. Whether d4vd will be arrested depends entirely on what these forensic findings reveal. Conversely, if forensic analysis cannot establish a definitive cause or link someone to her death, the investigation could conclude without charges. Potential charges might only relate to concealment of a body.

For now, the LAPD has said there will be no major updates while they wait for the Medical Examiner’s findings to be complete.

Where Is D4vd Since Avoiding Arrest?

Burke has withdrawn from public life since the discovery. He canceled the remainder of his tour, ended his Los Angeles lease, and has gone silent on social media. His exact location remains unknown.

Brands like Crocs and Hollister pulled promotional content featuring Burke. His label pulled promotion for a deluxe version of his album, which the label had scheduled for release around the time authorities discovered Rivas’s body.

A spokesperson for Burke told NBC News that he is “fully cooperating with the authorities.” However, LAPD Captain Williams later stated he could not confirm whether Burke was cooperating. Burke has not made any public statements since the discovery.

Fans interpret this silence differently. Some see it as mourning and self-protection during a difficult time. Others view it as avoidance. Nevertheless, police note one key fact: with no charges filed, Burke remains a free man. He is not legally required to speak publicly.

A Case Still Unresolved

The death of Celeste Rivas remains shrouded in uncertainty. For her family, there are only painful questions and a devastating loss. For Burke, there is intense public scrutiny without formal accusation.

Moreover, the case highlights a critical gap: online speculation moves fast, while forensic investigation moves deliberately and methodically.

Until toxicology and autopsy results provide answers, investigators say the case will remain what it is today: an open homicide investigation with no suspect, no criminal charges, and still no answer to why d4vd hasn’t been arrested.

People Also Ask

Has d4vd been named a suspect in Celeste Rivas’s death?

No. Police have stressed that while they investigate the case as a homicide, they have not named suspects. The LAPD continues to investigate, but they have not identified anyone with criminal culpability beyond the concealment of the body.

What did the death certificate reveal?

The death certificate confirmed Celeste Rivas was not pregnant at the time of her death. She had not been pregnant in the previous year. Authorities ruled her manner of death a homicide, yet her cause of death remains deferred pending additional testing.

Why does toxicology take so long?

Toxicology testing can take weeks or months. Samples must be carefully analyzed for a wide range of substances, including prescription medications, illegal drugs, and poisons. The severely decomposed state of Rivas’s body likely requires even more extensive testing to ensure accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where was Celeste Rivas found?

Authorities discovered her body inside the front trunk of d4vd’s Tesla at a Hollywood tow yard after impounding the car. The vehicle had been parked in the Hollywood Hills for several weeks before being towed.

What evidence have police collected?

LAPD executed a search warrant at a Hollywood Hills home linked to Burke. They seized electronic devices including computers for forensic analysis. They also processed the Tesla for evidence.

Will the results of the toxicology report be made public?

Authorities typically release cause and manner of death publicly once the Medical Examiner completes testing. However, they have not given a specific timeline for when results will be available.

The post Who Is D4vd and Why Hasn’t He Been Arrested? Everything We Know About the Investigation appeared first on Blavity.



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