Kali Uchis Cuts Ties With D4vd After Social Media Links Him to 15-Year-Old Celeste Rivas Found in His Tesla

Kali Uchis confirmed that her collaboration Crashing with singer D4vd will be taken down. The decision follows disturbing reports that 15-year-old Celeste Rivas’s remains were found in a car tied to the artist. On September 8, 2025, a tow yard employee in Los Angeles reported a foul odor. Investigators discovered the dismembered body in a Tesla registered to D4vd. Authorities have not named him a suspect, but the case has shaken the music industry and sparked backlash.

Remains of Celeste Rivas found in Tesla tied to D4vd

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner identified the victim as Celeste Rivas, who vanished in April 2024. Officials classified the case as homicide but delayed ruling on cause of death because of advanced decomposition. The forensic challenge mirrors difficulties highlighted in prior research on delayed analysis. The Tesla where her body was found was registered to D4vd, whose real name is David Burke.

The discovery drew intense public scrutiny because of the victim’s age and the link to a rising artist with mainstream collaborations and brand endorsements.

Lyrics and online evidence link artist to the victim

Lyrics from one of D4vd’s songs mention a girl named “Celeste” with a tattoo. After authorities identified the body, those lyrics circulated widely on social media. Users also pointed to screenshots of Discord chats from 2022 and photos of tattoos that seemed to match. They suggested a personal link between the artist and the teenager.

Celeste with the ink on her skin, I can’t let you go, even if it kills me.
You haunt me when I’m awake, you’re the shadow I can’t escape.
Obsession carved into my veins, depression whispering your name.
If I can’t have you in this life, then I’ll find you in the grave.” — D4vd

Experts warn that lyrics cannot prove criminal behavior. Still, that obsessive writing can reflect fixation.

Fans also highlighted a music video where D4vd cast an actress resembling Celeste Rivas. In the video, the actress plays a murder victim in a story about killing a lover. Critics argue this shows premeditation, though investigators have not made that connection publicly.

Uchis and brands distance themselves from D4vd

Kali Uchis addressed the controversy on Instagram after a commenter suggested she was friends with D4vd. She clarified that they were not friends and confirmed she had already started the process of removing the song. Crashing, released in February 2025 as part of D4vd’s debut album Withered, is now being pulled from streaming platforms.

The fallout spread quickly. Crocs and Hollister, brands that previously worked with D4vd, cut ties. Online, some fans say the industry is acting too fast. Others argue that companies have no choice but to respond to outrage.

Final thoughts

The removal of Crashing illustrates how fast reputations unravel once disturbing allegations surface. Kali Uchis acted quickly to distance herself from a collaborator linked to an ongoing investigation, and brands followed with equal speed, leaving D4vd increasingly cut off. The fallout also puts into focus just how many connections D4vd had built in music and gaming. Artists like Keshi and Rich Brian, and platforms tied to Fortnite and Call of Duty, now face uncomfortable questions about their past work with him and what those links mean in the wake of the revelations. With no charges filed and forensic questions still unanswered, the case remains under review.