Rising rap star D4vd has been arrested in connection with the murder of a teenage girl whose decomposing body was found in the trunk of a car registered in the artist's name, police announced Thursday.

The Los Angeles police stated that they had arrested the musician, whose real name is David Burke, "for the murder of Celeste Rivas".

The 21-year-old rapper, who resides in Los Angeles, will remain "in custody without the possibility of bail".

Celeste Rivas's dismembered and decomposing body was found in the trunk of a Tesla registered to D4vd on September 8, the day before her 15th birthday.

Police discovered the body after being called to a Hollywood impound lot by employees and neighbors who complained of a foul odor coming from a car.

Upon arrival, officers found a body in the trunk in an advanced state of decomposition, cut into pieces and wrapped in a plastic tarp, according to several American media outlets.

According to investigators, the car remained parked for nearly a month in this upscale part of town, not far from a Tesla restaurant recently opened by Elon Musk, before being impounded.

"The case must be submitted to the Major Crimes Division, which will examine the facts and evidence to determine if there is sufficient evidence to bring charges," the Los Angeles District Attorney's office told AFP.

Further information on the case will be released on Monday "once a decision has been made regarding possible prosecution," he added.

Celeste Rivas had been reported missing when she was 13 years old in Riverside County, southeast of Los Angeles.

At that time, D4vd was in the final stages of a world tour which was abruptly interrupted due to the outcry over this affair.

The young man became famous in 2022 when his song "Romantic Homicide" became a runaway success on TikTok.