One of the world’s biggest sports video game franchises appears to have quietly removed a track by d4vd from its latest release, as the investigation into the death of teenager Celeste Rivas continues in Los Angeles.
“What Are You Waiting For”, which had initially featured on the soundtrack for Madden NFL 26, is no longer listed in the game’s official playlist. The song was included when the title launched earlier this year, but has since disappeared without explanation.
Neither EA Sports nor the artist has commented on the change.
The move comes after d4vd was removed from the Spilt Milk 2025 lineup earlier this year, effectively cancelling his whole Australian tour.
“Last week we removed d4vd from our website and marketing out of respect for the unfolding story,” promoters said in a statement at the time.
“We can now confirm d4vd will not perform at Spilt Milk and we are working on a replacement booking which we’ll announce as soon as it’s finalised.”
While no reason for the EA Sports removal has been formally given, it comes amid heightened scrutiny surrounding the ongoing police investigation in Los Angeles.
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As previously reported by Rolling Stone, the Los Angeles Police Department has characterised the case as an “investigation into murder.” Detective Joshua Byers successfully sought a court order to seal Celeste Rivas’ autopsy findings, arguing that public disclosure could compromise the inquiry. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner later confirmed that the findings would remain sealed.
Police have said it remains unclear whether there is any criminal culpability beyond the concealment of Rivas’ body. However, sources told NBC News and ABC7 that d4vd (legal name David Anthony Burke) is now considered a suspect. Burke was reportedly out of state on a national tour when his dented 2023 Tesla Model Y was towed from the Hollywood Hills on September 5th, after the vehicle was said to be emitting a strong odour and attracting flies, according to a search warrant affidavit obtained by Rolling Stone.
Investigators later found Rivas’ decomposed remains in the trunk of the vehicle, inside a black garbage bag. She was identified as a missing teen from Lake Elsinore, around 120 kilometres southeast of Los Angeles. Rivas would have turned 15 the day before her body was discovered. Family members had previously reported her missing in February 2024, then again in April.
After weeks of speculation, LAPD officials moved to publicly correct false reports circulating online. “They’re reporting that Celeste’s body was frozen when it was discovered, which is untrue,” Captain Scot M. Williams of the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division told KNX News. He also dismissed claims that Rivas had been decapitated, calling them “factually inaccurate.”
The apparent distancing from EA Sports comes despite d4vd’s prior involvement in major gaming partnerships. The singer previously worked with Fortnite, contributing the official 2025 anthem “Locked and Loaded”.
Madden NFL 26 launched this year with a sprawling 77-track soundtrack, spanning hip-hop, pop, rock, metal, and classic hits, featuring artists including The Killers, Chappell Roan, Lil Uzi Vert, Green Day, Foo Fighters, Kendrick Lamar, Rage Against the Machine, and Wolfmother.
