The body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 15-year-old missing from Lake Elsinore, California, was found on September 8 in a Tesla registered to singer David Anthony Burke, better known as D4vd, the artist behind the hit song Romantic Homicide. Police discovered the remains at a Hollywood impound lot after reports of foul odors coming from the vehicle, which had been abandoned in the Hollywood Hills days earlier.

According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, Rivas Hernandez’s body was “severely decomposed,” leaving her official cause of death deferred.

Her family released a statement on Go Fund Me calling her a “beloved daughter, sister, cousin, and friend” while seeking help for funeral expenses.

Investigation Into D4vd

Authorities confirmed that D4vd, currently 20 years old, has been informed of the investigation and is “fully cooperating with the authorities,” according to a spokesperson speaking to NBC News. The singer was in the middle of a U.S. tour supporting his debut album Withered when news of the discovery broke. His Seattle concert on Sept. 17 was canceled, with the next scheduled date set for Sept. 19 in San Francisco.

Law enforcement also searched a Hollywood home on Sept. 17 that D4vd had allegedly been staying in prior to his tour.

Online Backlash Over “Romantic Homicide”

In the wake of the discovery, D4vd’s song “Romantic Homicide” has come under intense scrutiny. Netizens pointed out disturbing parallels between the song’s music video and the case. Some noticed that the actress in the 2022 video bore a resemblance to Celeste Rivas, while others highlighted that the video’s release date—September 7—was the same day as Celeste’s birthday.

On X (formerly Twitter), user @slipperylizardd shared side-by-side photos comparing Celeste and the actress, a post that quickly went viral with over 75,000 likes.

“It’s hard to unsee that now… makes the whole video feel disturbing in hindsight,” one commenter wrote. Others pointed out the bloody imagery in his videos and the lyrical references to killing a loved one.

Discord Server Speculation

The controversy deepened when users began digging into D4vd’s Discord server, claiming to find images of the singer with Celeste and messages mentioning her directly. Some fans speculated that the two may have been in a relationship as early as when Celeste was 12 years old.

Celeste’s mother told TMZ that her daughter had spoken about dating someone named David. However, authorities have not confirmed any of these rumors, and much of the online speculation remains unverified.

Family in Mourning

Celeste’s disappearance was first reported on April 5, 2024, in Lake Elsinore, about 70 miles southeast of Los Angeles. For over a year, her family searched for answers until the devastating discovery earlier this month.

On the family’s fundraising page, supporters have rallied to help cover costs, with many leaving messages of sorrow and solidarity.

What Comes Next

D4vd has not been charged with a crime as of now, and the investigation remains ongoing. The Los Angeles Police Department continues to piece together how Celeste’s remains ended up in his car.

This high-profile case has sparked heated debates about art, morality, and accountability, with fans and critics alike questioning how much the imagery in Romantic Homicide should be viewed in hindsight.