Los Angeles prosecutors have formally charged singer D4vd with first-degree murder in the death of a 14-year-old girl whose dismembered and decomposed body was discovered inside his apparently abandoned Tesla last September. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced the charges on Friday, marking a significant development in a case that has shocked the music industry and law enforcement agencies.
Details of the Case
The victim, identified as Celeste Rivas Hernandez, was reported missing by her family in 2024 when she was 13 years old. Authorities confirm she was 14 at the time of her death. Her long-dead body was found inside a Tesla Model Y that had been towed from the Hollywood Hills on September 8, just one day after she would have turned 15. The vehicle was registered in the singer's name at a Texas address belonging to his family members.
Gruesome Discovery
Police investigators searching the Tesla in a tow yard made a horrifying discovery: a cadaver bag "covered with insects and a strong odor of decay." Upon partially unzipping the bag, detectives found a head and torso. Further examination by investigators from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office revealed that "the arms and legs had been severed from the body." A second black bag containing additional dismembered body parts was found underneath the first.
No cause of death has been publicly revealed, and police obtained a court order blocking the release of autopsy details. The medical examiner confirmed to The Associated Press that this court order remained in place following Burke's arrest.
Legal Proceedings and Defense
D4vd, whose legal name is David Burke, was arrested by homicide detectives on Thursday at a home in Hollywood. The 21-year-old Houston-born alt-pop singer had been under investigation by an LA County grand jury looking into the death. While the probe was officially secret, its existence—and Burke's designation as its target—was revealed in February when his family members objected to subpoenas demanding they testify in a Texas court.
In a statement released after his arrest, Burke's attorneys declared his innocence: "Let us be clear—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." This marked the first time the defense team had weighed in publicly on the case.
Background and Career Impact
D4vd, pronounced "David," gained significant popularity among Gen Z audiences for his unique blend of indie rock, R&B, and lo-fi pop. He went viral on TikTok in 2022 with his hit song "Romantic Homicide," which peaked at number four on Billboard's Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. Following this success, he signed with Darkroom and Interscope Records, releasing his debut EP "Petals to Thorns" and a follow-up titled "The Lost Petals" in 2023.
When the body was discovered in September, the singer continued his North American tour. However, as reports of his possible involvement spread widely, he canceled the final two shows of his tour and an upcoming European tour that was scheduled to follow.
Family and Investigation Status
The family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez has maintained their privacy throughout the investigation and has not made any public statements regarding her death or the ongoing case. Authorities did not publicly name Burke as a suspect until his arrest last week.
The Tesla had been towed from an upscale Hollywood Hills neighborhood where it had been sitting as though abandoned. The vehicle's connection to the singer and the gruesome discovery inside have raised numerous questions about the circumstances surrounding the teenager's death and the investigation timeline.
