He began his musical journey by creating soundtracks for gaming videos. One of his tracks gained widespread attention on TikTok, catapulting him to fame. By November 2023, at just 18 years old, he made his late-night television debut with a performance on Jimmy Kimmel.

However, the promising future he once faced has turned daunting as Los Angeles police uncovered the dismembered remains of a missing 15-year-old girl in a Tesla tied to his name, instigating a homicide inquiry.

The same celebrities and collaborators who had supported D4vd’s meteoric rise are now hastily distancing themselves from the “Romantic Homicide” artist as suspicions grow.

In the space of a few days, fellow artists have unfollowed him en masse, collaborations have been asked to be pulled from streaming platforms, corporate brands have dropped him from ad campaigns, and his world tour has been suspended indefinitely as investigators close in.

All the while, D4vd – real name David Anthony Burke – has remained silent, with all inquiries directed to the star’s attorney, Blair Berk, who has not responded to any requests for comment. Berk has previously represented the likes of Prince Andrew.

On Wednesday, police raided a Hollywood Hills home Burke had been renting for $20,000 a month. Detectives were seen leaving with bags of evidence, including a laptop.

No charges have yet been filed, and no persons of interest have been named in the case. Burke, 20, is said to be cooperating with investigators.

The controversy erupted on September 8 with a horrifying discovery at a Hollywood tow yard, where officers were called to investigate a putrid stench emanating from the front trunk of a black Tesla Model Y that had been on the lot for only two days.

Inside, they found the partial, decomposed remains of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas sealed in a plastic bag. The teen, from Lake Elsinore, California, was reported missing by her family in May 2024, when she was just 13.

Sources close to the girl alleged to the Daily Mail on Wednesday that Burke had been in an underage relationship with Rivas. It’s unclear when the alleged illicit relations began, but one source claimed Burke first made contact with Rivas when she was just 12.

Rivas’s brother also told local media his family was aware of their alleged relationship. Matthew Rivas claimed his sister left home to go see a movie with Burke in May 2024, but never came home. He said Burke would often pick her up in the same Tesla her body was later found.

One of the Daily Mail’s sources claimed Rivas ran away from home because her family didn’t approve of her alleged relations with Burke.

The same source claims Rivas continued to keep in contact with her friends for more than a year after officially being reported missing, but all messages and calls from her abruptly stopped in late July or early August.

A date and cause of death for Rivas have not been confirmed. However, authorities said the girl appeared to have been dead for some time because her dismembered remains were in an advanced state of decomposition.

Burke was away, performing on the US leg of his Withered World Tour, when Rivas’s remains were found in his impounded car. 

Months earlier, he’d performed at LA’s coveted Coachella Festival. Burke also performed his song Feel It on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, but the performance has since been scrubbed from Colbert’s channels. 

Burke’s vehicle had been abandoned for several days near Doheny Place and Bluebird Avenue in the Hollywood Hills, close to Burke’s four-bedroom, four-bathroom rental home.

Burke has not publicly confirmed whether he knew Rivas. Investigators are now examining images and social media posts that appear to show the pair together, as they work to establish the nature of their connection.

As the questions continue to mount, the chorus of voices that once sang his praises has fallen silent – and in some cases turned their backs on him altogether.

The first domino to fall was Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Kari Uchis, who announced to her followers on Instagram on Wednesday that she was working to get her ‘Crashing’ collaboration with Burke removed from all streaming services.

The announcement came amid a torrent of comments from outraged fans quizzing her over her ties to Burke, within hours of Rivas being publicly identified.

‘Not my friend i did a song with him which is currently in the process of being taken down given today’s disturbing news,’ she wrote in response to one comment.

As of Friday afternoon, the song was still accessible on Spotify. The streaming giant has been contacted for comment about Uchis’ request and asked whether any other artists with songs with Burke have requested similar action.

Burke has other collaborations with Stray Kids’ Hyunjin, Laufey, 21 Savage, and British singer-songwriter Holly Humberstone. The Houston-raised performer also created an anthem for the online video game Fortnite.

The controversy surrounding Burke has done little to hamper the popularity of his music. On Friday, it was reported that Burke – who already boasts 35 million monthly listeners on Spotify – was the biggest gainer on Spotify’s Global Artists chart, jumping up 63 spots to #90 on their most listened to list.

But while still rich in listeners, he appears to be losing friends. Dozens of fellow artists and other celebrities have reacted by unfollowing him on Instagram.

The list of coveted names includes Uchis, Tyler, the Creator, Daniel Caesar, Addison Rae, Tate MacRae, and Ice Spice.

Fortnite’s social pages have also reportedly unfollowed him on all platforms, as have a series of streamers he used to collaborate with.

One, Pokimane, who previously appeared on a stream with Burke, released a statement on social media after receiving numerous messages.

‘I’m as shocked and disturbed as everyone else finding this out. Hoping justice will be served soon. My thoughts & prayers are with the victim’s family,’ she wrote.

Burke’s social media pages are awash with pictures of him posing next to some of music’s biggest stars.

He previously opened for R&B singer SZA on the North American leg of her SOS Tour in the fall of 2023, with one post showing the pair posing backstage together.

Others show him rubbing shoulders with the likes of Billie Eilish, Rosalia, 21 Savage, and producer Benny Blanco.

Burke has been on a national tour promoting his debut album, ‘Withered,’ since early August. He performed in Boston, Montreal, and Toronto in late August and in early September had stops in Detroit, Chicago, and Indianapolis.

He had been due to perform in Seattle on Thursday, but the concert was abruptly cancelled. The rest of the tour – including dates in Europe, the UK, and Australia – has been suspended indefinitely.

The tour focused heavily on themes of death and remembrance. Fans who attended the show were greeted by a casket and guest book, where they could pay their condolences to ITAMI, an alter ego that Burke channels in his music videos and live performances.

Burke is known for referencing dark imagery in his music, leaning heavily on blood-splattered visuals in his branding.

His official store had sold Custom ITAMI Bloody Shirts – white shirts streaked with red stains – which were promoted alongside his album.

Though still listed for sale as of Thursday night, the products were removed from his official website by Friday.

Also, on Friday, Interscope Records announced it was shelving a planned release for Burke’s deluxe album.

Earlier this month, brands Crocs and Hollister pulled the performer from their ‘Dream Drop’ marketing campaigns on their websites and social media pages after Rivas’s remains were found.

The campaign debuted on September 3 and showcased Burke modeling Crocs and Hollister apparel in coordinated pastel looks.

The products remain for sale online, but Burke’s face has been cropped out of all promotional images.

The investigation into Rivas’s death remains active and ongoing.

A spokesperson for the LAPD told the Daily Mail that during Wednesday night’s search of Burke’s rental, ‘several items of evidence’ were recovered and will be analyzed by detectives in the coming days.

A source told TMZ officers were searching for blood evidence and DNA.

A GoFundMe has been set up for Rivas’s family.

The fundraiser’s organizer shared a brief statement on behalf of the girl’s loved ones, which read: ‘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.

‘Her family is heartbroken and devastated by this tragic loss. They are seeking help to lay her body to rest. Any funds you are able to donate are greatly appreciated.’