American singer-songwriter D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, has been taken into custody by Los Angeles police on suspicion of murder. This arrest comes approximately seven months after the severely decomposed and dismembered body of a 14-year-old girl was discovered inside his abandoned Tesla vehicle.
Chilling Discovery in a Tow Yard
According to authorities and court documents, the investigation began when a 2023 Tesla Model Y, registered to the 21-year-old recording artist, was towed from the Hollywood Hills neighborhood on September 8, 2025. The vehicle had reportedly been sitting unattended for an extended period. Police later located the car in a tow yard.
Upon searching the Tesla, officers encountered a body bag that was described as being "covered in insects" and emitting a powerful odor of decay. When the bag was unzipped, investigators found a decomposed head and torso. A second black bag, containing additional severed body parts, was located beneath the first. The remains were later identified as belonging to Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a teenager from Lake Elsinore who had been reported missing by her family in 2024.
Legal Defense and Ongoing Investigation
D4vd's legal team, consisting of attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter, has issued a strong statement proclaiming his innocence. "The actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death," they asserted. The lawyers emphasized that no formal indictment or criminal complaint has been filed, noting that their client is merely detained under suspicion. They vowed to "vigorously defend David's innocence."
The Los Angeles Police Department stated that homicide detectives made the arrest and that the case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for filing consideration. A spokesperson for the District Attorney's office confirmed they are aware of the arrest and that the Major Crimes Division will review the evidence to determine if formal charges are warranted. D4vd is currently being held without bail.
A Secret Grand Jury Probe
Details have emerged indicating that the investigation into the singer's potential involvement was conducted discreetly by a Los Angeles County grand jury. The probe only became public knowledge in late February 2026 after D4vd's mother, father, and brother filed an objection in a Texas court to subpoenas demanding their testimony.
The Tesla was registered in the singer's name at a Texas address belonging to these family members. Authorities have not publicly released an official cause of death for Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Rising Star's Career Trajectory
D4vd, known for his blend of indie rock, lo-fi pop, and R&B, gained significant popularity with the Gen Z demographic. He rose to fame in 2022 after his song "Romantic Homicide" went viral on TikTok, eventually reaching number four on Billboard's Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. Signed to Darkroom and Interscope Records, he released his debut EP "Petal to Thorns" in 2023, followed by "The Lost Petals." His first full-length album, "Withered," was released in 2025.
The singer was actively on tour when Hernandez's body was discovered. Subsequently, several scheduled performances, including shows in San Francisco and Los Angeles, an appearance at the Grammy Museum, and a European tour, were abruptly cancelled.
