The heartbroken father of Celeste Rivas, the 14-year-old girl who was murdered and found in the trunk of D4vd’s Tesla, has reacted to news of the singer’s arrest in connection with the killing, simply stating, ‘Thank god, justice for Celeste.’
Jesus Rivas gave the brief statement to TMZ after D4vd, real name David Burke, was taken into custody by the Los Angeles Police Department on Thursday. He is being held without bail on suspicion of murder.
His arrest came months after Rivas’s remains were discovered in the front trunk of a Tesla that had been impounded at a Hollywood tow yard. Police said the Tesla belonged to the 21-year-old singer.
He was officially named as a suspect in the killing in February, per unsealed documents from grand jury proceedings in Los Angeles County.
Based on statements from her friends and family, it is believed Rivas was in a romantic relationship with the singer at the time of her death.
The girl’s family said she was last seen in spring 2024, when ran away from her Lake Elsinore home at age 13.
Rivas’s mother, who reported her missing three different times throughout 2024, has said her daughter was dating a guy she never met named ‘David’. It’s also been reported that the two shared matching ‘Sshhh’ tattoos on their right index fingers.
Friends of D4vd told TMZ that the two were ‘frequently’ seen together. They also believed he and Rivas were romantically involved.
Jesus Rivas, the father of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas, was thankful that singer D4vd was arrested in connection with her killing
D4vd, real name David Burke, was taken into custody by the Los Angeles Police Department on Thursday. The case will be presented on Monday to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, which will make the final charging decision
Rivas’s dismembered remains were discovered on September 8, 2025, when workers at Hollywood Tow called police to report a stench coming from a Tesla on their lot. Her head and torso were found in a plastic bag, police said.
The vehicle was registered to D4vd’s address in Texas, police said. According to investigators, the car had been abandoned on a public street for more than 72 hours, leading to it being impounded.
Neighbors said the Tesla was moved several times over the preceding three months before it was left on Bluebird Avenue in the Hollywood Hills.
Rivas was found a day after what would have been her 15th birthday, but authorities believe she likely died much earlier, with the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office saying the remains were ‘severely decomposed.’
Based on that, the medical examiner determined Rivas had been deceased in the vehicle for ‘an extended period of time’.
She was wearing black leggings, a tube top, a yellow metal chain bracelet and stud earrings, according to the medical examiner.
After D4vd’s arrest, his legal team released a statement saying that he did not murder Rivas and that he did not cause her death. His lawyers also pointed out that the grand jury has not returned an indictment.
‘David has only been detained under suspicion. We will vigorously defend David’s innocence,’ his lawyers said.
Pictured: The Tesla SUV where police say Rivas’s body was discovered on September 8, 2025
Pictured: The apartment that was raided by police in September after they got a search warrant
The case will be presented on Monday to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, which will make the final charging decision.
The grand jury investigation into D4vd began in mid-November. Jurors were presented evidence by prosecutors and relevant individuals were called testify, including D4vd’s managers and friend, Neo Langston.
And in September, police obtained a search warrant for a home Burke had been staying at in the Hollywood Hills, where they seized a computer, according to ABC News.
Police have not disclosed details about what they may have found on the computer.
After Rivas’s death, the lyrics of D4vd’s songs were the subject of much scrutiny due to their violent nature.
In one of his most popular singles, ‘Romantic Homicide’, he sings about a love interest of his no longer being around.
‘In the back of my mind, I killed you… And I didn’t even regret it… I can’t believe I said it… But it’s true… I hate you,’ were the final words of the 2022 song.
D4vd rose to fame that same year after a string of viral TikTok hits.
His popularity led to collaborations with stars such as SZA and Kali Uchis. When Hernandez’s body was discovered, D4vd was on a tour, which was later canceled.
