A Dead Teenager in His Trunk, Singer D4vd (Finally) Cancels His Tour

Summary

Podcast Summary

Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present

Episode: "A Dead Teenager in His Trunk, Singer D4vd (Finally) Cancels His Tour"
Date: September 19, 2025
Host: T.J. Holmes (solo, Amy Robach absent)

---

Overview

This episode zeroes in on the shocking and rapidly-evolving situation involving breakout music star D4vd (pronounced "David," real name David Anthony Burke), following the discovery of a teenager's dead body in the trunk of his Tesla. T.J. Holmes guides listeners through the latest updates—canceled tour, police searches, industry fallout—and wrestles with the unsettling mysteries still swirling around the case. Throughout, Holmes stresses the lack of official suspects or clear information, urging caution amid escalating online rumors.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Singer D4vd: A Brief Introduction

• Real name: David Anthony Burke, 20, originally from New York, raised in Houston, TX.
• Rose to fame via posting his own music online after facing copyright issues with using others' music for gaming videos.
• Noted by Billboard as the hottest rising star under 21 (see [13:12]).

2. Timeline of the Case

• September 8:
  • Police find abandoned Tesla (registered to Burke with Texas plates) impounded in LA.
  • Days later, a foul odor leads investigators to discover a badly decomposed, “not intact” body in the trunk ([02:52]).
• Victim Identification:
  • Deceased is identified as 15-year-old Celeste Rivas, missing since April 2024 (had been 13 when reported missing).
  • Discovery that the child was missing and the body found in the singer’s vehicle escalated the case’s gravity ([05:10]).

3. Immediate Consequences for D4vd

• Tour Cancellation:
  • D4vd’s remaining shows for the month and scheduled album extension release (for "Withered") both canceled ([02:52]).
• Industry Fallout:
  • Brand partnerships (e.g., Crocs, Hollister) have been “stepping back” and distancing themselves ([07:35]).
• Public & Social Media Scrutiny:
  • Speculation has skyrocketed online with unverified photos and rumors about D4vd’s connection to Celeste.

4. Law Enforcement & Media Updates

• Police Actions:
  • Search warrant served on a home near where the Tesla was found (home not registered to D4vd, but he had been staying there) ([03:30]).
  • No suspects or persons of interest named—D4vd described as cooperating.
• Questions Unanswered:
  • How did the car come to be abandoned?
  • Who was driving it at the time?
  • What kind of relationship (if any) existed between D4vd and Celeste ([06:15])?

5. Family’s Perspective & Identification Details

• Celeste’s Mother:
  • Had a “sneaking suspicion” upon hearing initial details ([14:12]).
  • Noted a tattoo on Celeste’s right index finger: "SHHH"—matching a tattoo seen on D4vd ([15:20]).
  • However, Holmes points out this tattoo is common and “doesn’t necessarily mean anything.”

6. Holmes’s Emphasis On Caution

• Absence of Statements:
  • D4vd’s only official comment was via a spokesperson stating he’s cooperating with authorities; D4vd himself remains silent ([16:45]).
• No Official Connection:
  • Police have not named D4vd or anyone as a suspect or person of interest.
  • Holmes consistently urges against “filling in the blanks” with social media gossip:

    “I beg you all, don't believe everything you read about this case online…there's a lot of bad information being spread out there.” — T.J. Holmes [15:55]

• Legal Perspective:
  • Silence is likely on legal advice but is fueling speculation ([16:30]).

7. Empathy & The Real Tragedy

• Victim-centered Reminder:

  “The bottom line here is that a child went missing and that child is now dead. And we don't know exactly what happened to that child.” — T.J. Holmes [18:30]

• Family has some closure but “don't know where [Celeste]’s been the past year and a half…don't know what happened to her” ([18:20]).

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On D4vd’s sudden career halt:

  “It has been a week of fast moving developments and it's all started with a dead body in the trunk of singer David's car.” — T.J. Holmes [02:52]

• On potential connections and the suffocating lack of information:

  “The silence has been a bit deafening and it's allowing people to fill in a lot of blanks.” — T.J. Holmes [08:25]

• A sobering summary of what really matters:

  “Folks, at the end of the day, this is, this is a tragedy...the bottom line here is that a child went missing and that child is now dead. And we don't know exactly what happened to that child. So I think everybody would like to have that answer. Nobody more so than her family.” — T.J. Holmes [18:30]

---

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [02:52] – Introduction and rundown of the current situation with D4vd and the timeline.
• [05:10] – Details emerge about the identity of the victim and how it shifted public perception.
• [06:15] – Holmes outlines open questions about the car, last movements, and potential links.
• [07:35] – Brands and collaborators begin to dissociate from D4vd.
• [13:12] – Backstory on D4vd’s rise to fame from the gaming community to Billboard’s charts.
• [14:12]–[15:20] – Celeste Rivas’s identification and tattoo details, plus discussion of rumor pitfalls.
• [16:45] – The only official statement from D4vd’s side.
• [18:30] – Holmes highlights the human cost and enduring mysteries.

---

Tone and Closing Thoughts

Solo-hosted by T.J. Holmes in a measured, investigative, and empathetic tone. He consistently urges listeners not to jump to conclusions, emphasizes the lack of confirmed facts, and keeps the focus on the personal tragedy. The episode leaves listeners with more questions than answers but ensures clarity on what information is officially substantiated.

---

Recommended for listeners seeking a factual, compassionate update on a disturbing but sensationalized case at the intersection of pop culture and true crime.

Transcript

[T.J. Holmes]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Reasonable Doubt Promo Announcer]

Check out the new season of Reasonable Doubt, now Streaming on Hulu, L.A. s most successful attorney, Jack Stewart, defends a young actor accused of murder. Follow Emma Yahtzee, Coronaldi, Morris Chestnut, Joseph Sakura and guest stars Kashdahl and Lori Harvey as they fight their personal battles in the spotlight of the year's most sensational trial. In the pursuit of justice, every move counts. Reasonable Doubt, Season 3, now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney for bundle subscribers. Terms apply.

[LG XBoom Advertiser]

Stop settling for weak sound. It's time to level up your game and bring the boom. Hit the town with the ultra durable LG X Boom portable speaker and enjoy vibrant sound wherever you go. Elevate your listening experience to new heights because, let's be real, your music deserves it. The future of sound is now with LG XBoom and for a limited time save 25% at LG with code Fall25. Bring the Boom XBoom.

[Washablesofas.com Advertiser]

There'S nothing like sinking into luxury. At washablesofas.com, you'll find the Annabe sofa which combines ultimate comfort and design at an affordable price. And get this, it's the only sofa that's fully machine washable from top to bottom. Starting at only $699, the stain resistant performance fabric slipcovers and cloud like frame duvet can go straight into your wash per perfect for anyone with kids, pets or anyone who loves an easy to clean spotless sofa. With a modular design and changeable slipcovers, you can customize your sofa to fit any space and style. Whether you need a single chair, loveseat or a luxuriously large sectional, Annabe has you covered. Visit washablesofas.com to upgrade your home. Right now you can shop up to 60% off store wide with a 30 day money back guarantee. Shop [e-mail] Add a little to your life. Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[TiVo Advertiser]

Over 300 channels, zero bills, that's TiVo plus live news, reality movies and more. No credit card, no signups available on smart TVs powered by TiVo. Grab the remote, press play and start watching TiVo free. Binge worthy, always on.

[Asma Khalid]

Learn more at TiVo.com America is changing and so is the world.

[Tristan Redman]

But what's happening in America isn't just a cause of global upheaval, it's also a symptom of disruption that's happening everywhere.

[Asma Khalid]

I'm Asma Khalid in Washington, dc.

[Tristan Redman]

I'm Tristan Redman in London and this is the Global story.

[Asma Khalid]

Every weekday, we'll bring you a story from this intersection where the world and America meet.

[Tristan Redman]

Listen on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

[T.J. Holmes]

Hey there, folks. It is Friday, September 19th. The mystery and macabre surrounding one of the brightest young stars in music continues. The singer has now canceled his tour. His extended album that was supposed to come out today, that's been scrapped, too. It has been a week of fast moving developments and it's all started with a dead body in the trunk of singer David's car. And with that, welcome to this episode of Amy and tj. Want to give you an update because today, over the past 24 hours, a lot has changed. In this case, if you've been keeping up. Yes, David singer, young star, 20 years old, had been out on tour to promote his new album. Well, now that tour has been canceled. Only had a few dates left to perform this month. It was going to wrap up, but those dates have now been canceled. There was a plan for him to have an extended version of his debut album, Withered. It was supposed to come out today. Those plans have been canceled. Also, we do know that a search warrant was served on a home near where that Tesla was found with the body in the trunk. Now, police are telling the local paper out, the LA Times, at least sources telling them that this was a home he was staying in even though it wasn't registered to him. But they have served a search warrant on this home. We don't know at this point whether they found. Also, I do want to emphasize, no matter how things are looking and have been looking, police say they do not have any suspects. They do not have any persons of interest. And they also emphasize that David is cooperating with police. Now, the backstory here, I keep saying David, if you all don't know his name is spelled, he's kind of a new age and online guy. So he spells his name. The A is a 4, so it's D. 4 V. D is how he spells his name, but it is pronounced David. His real name is David Anthony Burke, born in New York, but did most of his growing up in Texas in the Houston area. Now, the backstory here is that on September 8, a body was found in the trunk of a Tesla. This car had been abandoned. Police picked it up, took it to an impound lot and at some point a couple of days later, someone noticed a really foul odor coming from that Tesla. And that's when authorities were called in and they found a body in the trunk. Now, they described it as being not intact and badly decomposing. They did not release a cause of death when the body was first found. Now when this all went down, he was all, he was out on tour. He wasn't in town at the time that they the discoveries made, but he was out on tour the day that it was discovered that the body was in the trunk and that this vehicle, this Tesla was registered to him, has Texas plates, which is where he's from. David Anthony Burke is his name is registered to him. Now on the day the body was found, he had a date, he had a tour date. He went on and performed. Now I at the time was surprised, I didn't know what that meant. It seemed like it wasn't being taken seriously enough. But also at the same time I thought, well, hey, I guess there's nothing to worry about. He is not anywhere near LA right now. So maybe there is in his mind or people around him. He's nowhere near it. He has nothing to do with it. The show must go on, if you will. But then things got a little messed up because this week police were able to identify the victim which then put this story in a whole new stratosphere. The victim turned out to be a 15 year old girl. A 15 year old girl was found in David's car in the trunk, body not intact and badly decomposing. According to police, that victim was identified as a 15 year old, but also identified, yes, the name Celeste Rivas. This is a young lady who has been missing, reported missing since last year, since April of 2024. Celeste Revis had been reported missing where she's been the past year and a half. Those are questions police are going to have to figure out and we're all curious about right now. But this, the case and the story took on a whole different or heavier meaning when you find out, look, it's horrible enough that a body was found. We are talking about a child who went missing at the age of 13. She would have been 15 now, but she was 13 years old when she went missing. So where has she been between the day she was reported missing and the day she was found in the trunk of a car? Now police are trying to answer all these questions now, but in the meantime there are people starting to distance themselves from David. Sorry about that. I got a text message and yes, Kendrick Lamar is not like us is my ringtone. Sorry, continuing here. Now people are distancing themselves. Some artists that worked with him are starting to do so. Crocs and Hollister, he had dealer deals with them. They have stepped back and not using him in any of their advertisement right now you can understand that makes perfect sense that they would do that. But the questions now about the case, one, why was the car abandoned in the first place? Was he the one who was driving it when it was abandoned? Police authorities suggest he had, you know, people around him and there were. Just because the car was registered to him doesn't mean he was driving it could have been somebody he worked with. We don't know. How did this young lady end up in the car? Where has she been? And what if any relationship did she have to the singer? That is something we do not know. He hasn't said much of anything about this case. And actually, I'm sorry folks, that's not right to say he hasn't said much of anything. He hasn't said anything. He has not in the times in September 8th come out and put out a definitive statement even saying he hasn't said anything. Now I understand most of us do understand when a legal case like this, a lawyer would tell you to be quiet. But the silence has been a bit deafening and it's allowing people to fill in a lot of blanks and fill in a lot of holes. And there's a lot online on social media right now speculating about their relationship. Pictures of David and this young lady have shown up unverified, I should say, unverified pictures have shown up online. We will explain to you next what her family says and also what his rep said at the very beginning of this case.

[LG XBoom Advertiser]

Stop settling for weak sound. It's time to level up your game and bring the boom. Hit the town with the ultra durable LG X Boom portable speaker and enjoy vibrant sound wherever you go. Elevate your listening experience to new heights because let's be real, your music deserves it. The future of sound is now with LG XBoom and for a limited time save 25% at LG.com with code fall25. Bring the boom XBoom.

[Washablesofas.com Advertiser]

Let'S be real. Life happens. Kids spill, pets shed and accidents are inevitable. Find a sofa that can keep [e-mail] Starting at just $699, our sofas are fully machine washable and inside and out so you can say goodbye to stains and hello to worry free living. Made with liquid and stain resistant fabrics, they're kid proof, pet friendly and built for everyday life. Plus, changeable fabric covers let you refresh your sofa whenever you want. Neat flexibility. Our modular design lets you rearrange your sofa anytime to fit your space whether it's a growing family room or a cozy apartment. Plus, they're earth friendly and trusted by over 200,000 happy customers. It's time to upgrade to a stress free mess proof sofa. Visit washablesofas.com today and save that's washablesofas.com offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Asma Khalid]

Check out the intense new season of Reasonable Doubt now Streaming on Hulu, L.A.

[T.J. Holmes]

S most sought after and successful defense attorney Jax Stewart has seen it all. But now she'll face her toughest case yet when she defends a young actor loved by millions and accused of murder.

[Asma Khalid]

Join Jax as she takes on the district attorney, the press and even her own partners to prove his innocence. The jury's verdict will determine Jax's future and the fate of her client. Follow Emyatzi Corinaldi, Morris Chestnut, Joseph Sikora and guest stars Cash Dahl, Lori Harvey and more as they fight their personal battles in the spotlight of the year's most sensational murder trial.

[T.J. Holmes]

In the pursuit of justice, every move counts. Reasonable Doubt Season 3 now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney for bundled subscribers. Terms apply.

[TiVo Advertiser]

Tired of flipping through apps to find something good? Meet TiVo plus your one stop free streaming network. No credit card required. With over 300 free channels, you get binge worthy movies from action and comedy to Indian award winners. Plus top TV shows, live news, sports, highlights and family programming all in one place. Watch live or on demand right from your home screen. Free. No signups, no fees, just press play. That's TiVo plus free, binge worthy and always on.

[Asma Khalid]

Check us [e-mail] America is changing and so is the world.

[Tristan Redman]

But what's happening in America isn't just the cause of global upheaval. It's also a symptom of disruption that's happening everywhere.

[Asma Khalid]

I'm Asma Khalid in Washington, D.C. i'm.

[Tristan Redman]

Tristan Redman in London and this is the Global story.

[Asma Khalid]

Every weekday we'll bring you a story from this intersection where the world and America meet.

[Tristan Redman]

Listen on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

[T.J. Holmes]

All right, continuing here on Amy and tj. I think some of you may have noticed there's only DJ on this Amy and tj. Yeah, Robes is is out. She's actually traveling. She will be back sooner than later, I assure you. But continuing now with what has been a fascinating and fast moving week of developments. And I mean, it's one thing when you hear about it up and coming and I should Be clear about who David is. David is a, a, an up and coming, a rising star named by Billboard a couple years ago number one on their list of hottest stars under the age of 21. He was number one on their list. As the story goes, he kind of made a name for himself. He was playing video games online, trying to go viral, if you will, make videos having to do with him playing Fortnite and whatnot. And he kept running into copyright issues. So he tried to make a video and he wanted to use music. And every time you try to, you know, you put all that time in and edit and put all the music into it, you put it online and then, oops, you get hit with a copyright and you have to take it down. So he at that point started to make his own music. And he didn't have any training, any background. He could sing a little bit, but he started making his own music. And that stuff caught on online. And next thing you know, he's got a deal, he's got a album, he's got a tour, he's got a hot name and he's on Billboard charts. So that's who David is and where David is at this point. Now, the young lady who was found, 15 year old Celeste Rivas, have been identified by police, according to tmz. The outlet said that they did speak to the mother who had a sneaking suspicion that when she was hearing about the description, hearing about the young lady who had been found in that trunk, she just had a feeling that it was her child. She also pointed out, that young lady, that there was a description in particular of a tattoo on the right index finger of the victim. And it's spelled S H. H H. Just shush. You've seen that before.

[Washablesofas.com Advertiser]

Shh.

[T.J. Holmes]

Those tattoos is essentially what it represents. But it's on the index finger. On the index finger, the right index finger of the victim. It was pointed out and you can find them everywhere. Online pictures of David, the singer, he appears to have the same tattoo in the same place. Shh. H. On his right index finger. Should point out that doesn't mean anything because there are plenty of people out there who have that tattoo and some celebrities even have that same tattoo. So that doesn't necessarily mean anything but a lack of information, a lack of a voice in this story, a lack of, of information or compassion or. We don't see David. I mean, this is. We're talking about a child that is dead and found in your car. I'm not criticizing this young man for not saying more. He should have say more. But the fact that he's not saying anything has left a void in this story that now people are filling in those voids with all kinds of stuff. I beg you all, don't believe everything you read about this case online. I should say in particular on social media. There are just wild rumors flying around about all kinds of stuff having to do with this case. So just be careful. And what you consume and what you repeat, quite frankly, and what you retweet and what you put out there, because all of it, there's a lot of bad information being spread out there. David at this point, don't know where he is, don't know where he's going, don't know what is next because he was supposed to be in Southern California for a couple of shows, were in California, west coast for a couple of shores shows, but the first one he canceled was on the 17th. That was two days ago in Seattle when they, that was the day they announced that the Victim was a 15 year old girl by the name of Celeste Rivas. And that was the day and that was the time that he decided, all right, we need to cancel some shows. Now I mentioned he has not been saying much of anything. But very early on a statement did come from his spokesperson and this is all that said, quote, david has been informed about what's happened and although he is still out on tour, he is fully cooperating with the authorities. And that's it. And that's what we heard. Look, lawyers tell you to be quiet, don't say anything, let me do the talking for you. And that's understandable, but it's left people and he, I can't say this enough. Police have not called him or anybody a suspect. Police have not even called him or anybody else a person of interest. But right now this is a growing mystery surrounding a pretty big up and coming star in the industry. And right now we have so many more questions and answers. And right now a family is dealing with a bit of closure because at least they know now where their missing child is. They know what happened to her to a degree, but they don't know what happened to her. They don't know where she's been the past year and a half. They don't know what her relationship is, if any, with David. Yes, let me emphasize that. Don't even know if there was a relationship of any kind if they knew each other. We do not have that even confirmed at this point. However, I do have to mention that the moment Celeste Reavis's mom did mention that her daughter had a boyfriend named David. Now a bunch of Davids in the world. I, I feel like a broken record here. Every time I give one bit of information, I have to come back and say, well, it doesn't mean anything. I think a lot of people are piecing together that it looks bad, that things just look bad. But that doesn't necessarily mean anything. He is, it's not even innocent until proven guilty. He is not even a suspect yet, according to to authorities. But we shall see. Folks, at the end of the day, this is, this is a tragedy. I know it's a story, it's one that we cover. But it is salacious. But the bottom line here is that a child went missing and that child is now dead. And we don't know exactly what happened to that child. So I think everybody would like to have that answer. Nobody more so than her family. So, folks, following this one really, really closely, but we'll hop back on anytime that there are new developments and some of these certainly rose to the level today. But for the time being, as always, on that Apple podcast app on our show page, right top corner button that says follow, click that you can get all of our updates coming right to. You don't have to go looking for them. But for now, on behalf of my dear Amy Robach, I'm T.J. holmes. We'll talk to y' all soon.

[Reasonable Doubt Promo Announcer]

Check out the new season of Reasonable Doubt, now streaming on Hulu. L A s most successful attorney, Jack Stewart defends a young actor accused of murder. Follow Emma Yahtzee, Coronaldi, Morris Chestnut, Joseph Sakura and guest stars Kash Doll and Lori Harvey as they fight their personal battles in the spotlight of the year's most sensational trial. In the pursuit of justice, every move counts. Reasonable Doubt, Season three, now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney plus for bundle subscribers. Terms apply.

[TiVo Advertiser]

Stop settling for weak sound. It's time to level up your game and bring the boom. Hit the town with the ultra durable LG X Boom portable speaker and enjoy vibrant sound wherever you go. Elevate your listening experience to to new heights because let's be real, your music deserves it. The future of sound is now with LG XBoom. And for a limited time, save [e-mail] with code Fall25. Bring the Boom XBoom.

[Washablesofas.com Advertiser]

Time for a sofa upgrade. Visit WashablesOfAs.com and discover Annabe, where designer style meets budget friendly prices. With sofas starting at $699, Anabe brings you the ultimate in furniture innovation with a modular design that allows you to rearrange your space effortlessly. Perfect for both small and large spaces, Anabe is the only machine washable sofa inside and out. Say goodbye to stains and messes with liquid and stain resistant fabrics that make cleaning easy. Liquid simply slides right off. Designed for custom comfort, our high resilience foam lets you choose between a sink in feel or a supportive machine memory foam blend. Plus our pet friendly stain resistant fabrics ensure your sofa stays beautiful for years. Don't compromise quality for price. Visit washablesofas.com to upgrade your living space today with no risk returns and a 30 day money back guarantee. Get up to 60% off plus free shipping and free returns. Shop now at washablesofas.com Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[TiVo Advertiser]

Over 300 channels, zero bills, that's TiVo. Plus curated movies, new series and sports highlights. No credit card, no logins, just TV that gets straight to the good stuff. Grab the remote, press play and start watching TiVo. Free binge worthy. Always on.

[Asma Khalid]

Check us [e-mail] America is changing and so is the world.

[Tristan Redman]

But what's happening in America isn't just the cause of global upheaval. It's also a symptom of disruption that's happening everywhere.

[Asma Khalid]

I'm Asma Khalid in Washington, DC.

[Tristan Redman]

I'm Tristan Redman in London, and this is the Global story.

[Asma Khalid]

Every weekday we'll bring you a story from this intersection where the world and America meet.

[Tristan Redman]

Listen on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Reasonable Doubt Promo Announcer]

This is an iHeart podcast.