The family of a missing 15-year-old girl, whose body was found last week in the trunk of an impounded Tesla registered to singer D4vd, has broken their silence.
The body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found “severely decomposed” stuffed inside a bag in the trunk of the Tesla registered in Hempstead, Texas, to D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, earlier this month.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is currently investigating the incident as a homicide.
This week, a GoFundMe page was created by a person representing Rivas’ family, seeking donations to “lay her body to rest” following the confirmation from the Los Angeles County medical examiner that the body found was Rivas, who had been missing since April of last year.
“As many of you know, Celeste Rivas Hernandez has been identified as the body found last week. She was a beloved daughter, sister, cousin, and friend,” the statement from the Rivas family read. “This tragic loss has devastated her family to the core.” A spokesperson for GoFundMe informed the Independent that its trust and safety team was working with the fundraiser’s organizer to ensure that the funds reach the Rivas family safely. As of Friday afternoon, the GoFundMe post had raised more than US$14,000 out of its $20,000 target. The family’s first statement comes after police searched a home in the Los Angeles neighbourhood where Burke’s Tesla was abandoned.The search is connected to the Tesla and the investigation of the death of Rivas, law enforcement told NBC Los Angeles.
According to the outlet, authorities were looking for a few things, like digital devices that could connect Rivas to the location or have security recordings. The LAPD said that several pieces of evidence were found in the house and will be looked at. Additionally, authorities stated that leads were being investigated further. Burke’s Tesla was originally impounded after it had been parked on a Hollywood Hills street for more than 72 hours. A neighbour told CBS News that the Tesla had been abandoned for weeks.
“It just smelled like sewage,” the Hollywood resident told the outlet. “I think the community knew something was wrong and reported the car being abandoned.”
When the body was found, Burke, then 20 years old, was on the North American leg of his international tour. D4vd has been informed of the situation. And, although he is still out on tour, he is fully cooperating with the authorities,” a rep for the singer said in a statement.
Burke has since cancelled the remaining dates of his U.S. tour amid the investigation into the body found in the car registered to him.
The remaining dates on the singer’s U.S. tour were “quietly removed” from venue websites on Thursday, according to Variety. The international portion of Burke’s tour has not yet been announced.
Family of missing teen found dead in singer D4vd’s car speaks out
