Madison Cabagbag | Social Media Editor
September 28, 2025
On September 8th, authorities discovered a decomposing female body in the trunk of a Tesla registered to singer-songwriter David Anthony Burke, professionally known as d4vd.
D4vd’s career kickstarted in 2022 after his breakout single Romantic Homicide went viral on TikTok. He became known for his moody and genre-fluid sound, often producing songs directly from his iPhone. The homemade aspect of his music combined with his pleasant demeanor, as well as collaborations with popular franchises like Invincible and Arcane and artists like Kali Uchis and Laufey, built him a positive reputation and a loyal community.
He was on tour when this information was initially released, but at the time did not cancel any shows or make any statements. Early speculation leaned in favor of his innocence.
Public opinion shifted, however, when the victim was identified as Celeste Rivas, a 15 year old girl who went missing in 2023. Rivas’ mother confirmed that her daughter had a boyfriend named David, and the medical examiner noted that the body had a “shhh…” tattoo on the right index finger, eerily resembling a matching tattoo on d4vd. Since the release he has also cancelled his tour.
Junior Holland Thomas, a former d4vd listener, holds mixed feelings in light of these recent developments. She explained that “it’s so shocking at just how much evidence he put into his work. It’s a real shame that such talent is wasted on such a horrible person. I want to believe he’s innocent, but at the moment, there’s too much information against him for me to believe he is anything less than guilty until proven innocent.”
These past few weeks, social media has exploded about the situation, dissecting anything on d4vd’s history– from footage to reposts and old messages. An unreleased leaked d4vd song titled Celeste has also been in circulation, along with discussions on unsettling parallels on his homicidal imagery in music videos and questionable song lyrics. His hit single Romantic Homicide was released on September 8th of 2022, Celeste Rivas’ birthday.
Resurfaced clips of d4vd featuring any girls with resemblance to the victim are being extensively analyzed online. Even a sophomore, Tayah Brown, a completely unrelated character, has been caught in the crossfire. A TikTok account posted a clip of Brown getting interviewed at the mall, and it blew up with one million views because of the false caption mistaking her for Celeste Rivas. She commented that “I was shocked to see my face. I don’t really know much about… [David] but it’s been all over my TikTok.”
As the investigation continues, officials urge the public to remain wary of unverified information. But while the full scope of the story is still unfolding, the cultural stir it has ignited is undeniable.
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