“Discovery of Celeste Rivas’ Body in Abandoned Tesla Might Link to Lake Elsinore Missing Persons Case”

LOS ANGELES — Authorities have identified a teenage girl discovered dead in the trunk of a confiscated Tesla linked to singer D4vd. The name and birthdate correspond with a teen who disappeared in Lake Elsinore last year.

Celeste Rivas, 15, was identified by the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office. The official cause of death was listed as “deferred.”

Authorities discovered Celeste’s body on Sept. 8 after responding to a tow yard near Mansfield Avenue and Romaine Street in Hollywood.

Officials were responding to a strong odor emanating from the Tesla. According to police, the vehicle had been left in the lot for two days after being abandoned on a public street.

READ MORE: New details emerge after decomposing body found in Tesla linked to singer D4vd

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is attempting to verify if the victim is the same girl reported missing from Lake Elsinore in March 2024, matching the name and birthdate in question.

The body was found by police inside a bag stored in the front trunk of the Tesla, according to LAPD sources. They informed ABC News that the body was in a decomposed state.

The car is registered to 20-year-old artist David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd. He boasts more than 33 million monthly Spotify listeners and is famous for tracks like “Here with Me” and “Romantic Homicide.”

The teenage girl was described as having wavy black hair, standing at 5 feet 2 inches, and weighing 71 pounds. She was dressed in a tube top, black leggings, a yellow metal bracelet, and metal stud earrings. A distinctive tattoo on her right index finger read “Shhh…”

Sources told ABC News she appeared to have been dead for some time.

Last week, investigators intended to talk to the registered owner of the vehicle, as well as anyone else who may be connected to the case, sources said.

D4vd, who first went viral on TikTok, released his debut album in April. The 20-year-old singer, known for his indie, R&B and alt-pop sound, is currently on tour. He is set to perform in Los Angeles on Sept. 20.

So far, D4vd, nor his team, has released any comment on the investigation, though he has limited comments on his social posts.

ABC News contributed to this report.