Pop singer D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, has been formally charged with the murder and dismemberment of his teenage girlfriend, Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose decomposed body was discovered in an abandoned Tesla registered to the artist. The 21-year-old musician faces multiple serious charges including first-degree murder, lewd acts with a minor under 14, and mutilation of a human body.
Graphic Details Emerge in Teen's Death
According to prosecutors from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office, the 14-year-old victim was last seen alive in late April 2025 while heading to Burke's Hollywood Hills residence. Her dismembered remains were found seven months later in September 2025 inside a Tesla that had been towed from the Hollywood Hills area. The discovery occurred just one day after what would have been her 15th birthday.
Court documents reveal disturbing details about the crime scene. Police discovered a body bag "covered with insects and a strong odor of decay" inside the vehicle. Upon partially unzipping the bag, investigators found a head and torso. Further examination by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office revealed that the arms and legs had been severed from the body, with additional dismembered body parts contained in a second black bag beneath the first.
Prosecution's Case and Defense Response
District Attorney Nathan Hochman described the case as "a parent's nightmare" during a press briefing, noting that Rivas Hernandez was never seen again after heading to Burke's home. Prosecutors allege that Burke killed the teenager to protect his music career, with his debut album being released just two days after she was last known to be alive.
The murder charges include special circumstances that could potentially warrant seeking the death penalty, such as lying in wait, committing crime for financial gain, and murdering a witness who could have testified about sexual abuse allegations. Authorities state that Burke had been sexually abusing the victim since she was 13 years old, beginning in September 2023.
Burke's legal team has strongly denied the allegations, stating that evidence will prove their client's innocence. "We will vigorously defend David's innocence," Burke's attorneys declared, adding that evidence would demonstrate he did not cause the girl's death.
Investigation Timeline and Legal Proceedings
The investigation had been largely kept secret until charges were formally announced. Burke was arrested at his Hollywood home on Thursday and is being held without bail. He was expected to make his first court appearance on Monday following the announcement of charges.
Authorities revealed that Burke had secretly been under investigation by an L.A. County grand jury looking into the murder. The investigation came to light when Burke's family objected to subpoenas summoning them to testify in a Texas court. Police have not publicly revealed the exact cause of death, and a judge had previously blocked autopsy details from becoming public, though that court order was expected to be lifted following the formal charges.
The family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez has not made any public statements about her death, though Hochman noted he had met with some family members and described their grief as "incalculable."
Background on the Accused
D4vd, pronounced "David," first gained viral fame on TikTok in 2022 with his song "Romantic Homicide," which peaked at number four on Billboard's Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. The singer made his debut appearance at the Coachella music festival on April 11, 2025, approximately two weeks before the alleged murder occurred.
The case continues to develop as legal proceedings move forward, with both prosecution and defense preparing for what promises to be a highly publicized courtroom battle over the tragic death of a teenage girl and the serious allegations against a rising music star.
