Singer D4vd Arrested on Suspicion of Murder in Teen Girl’s Death

On April 16, 2026, Los Angeles police arrested singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The teen’s remains were discovered on September 8, 2025, inside the front trunk of an impounded Tesla registered to Burke. Authorities confirmed the arrest after an extended investigation, with Burke being held without bail pending further legal proceedings.

Discovery of the Victim’s Remains

Celeste Rivas Hernandez was reported missing multiple times in the final year of her life, with her last known contact with family occurring in May 2024. Surveillance and digital evidence indicated she was alive as late as January 2025. On September 8, 2025, Los Angeles police responded to a tow yard in Hollywood after reports of a foul odor from an impounded vehicle. The car, a Tesla registered to David Burke, had been towed from the Hollywood Hills following reports of abandonment. Inside the front trunk, investigators found a severely decomposed body later identified as Celeste Rivas Hernandez through forensic analysis.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the teen had been deceased in the vehicle for an extended period before discovery. The case remained under investigation, with a grand jury empaneled to review the evidence. The existence of the grand jury probe and its focus on Burke became public in February 2026 when his family challenged subpoenas in a Texas court.

Arrest and Legal Proceedings

On April 16, 2026, Burke was taken into custody by Los Angeles police and booked on suspicion of murder. He is being held without bail, as confirmed by city authorities. Police stated that the case would be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for review, with a decision on formal charges expected after evaluation by the Major Crimes Division. The District Attorney’s Office acknowledged the arrest and confirmed it would assess whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed with prosecution.

Burke, known professionally as D4vd, rose to prominence with songs such as “Romantic Homicide” and “Here With Me.” He released the album Withered in 2025 and had announced plans for a world tour prior to his arrest. His representatives have not issued public statements regarding the case.

Background on the Victim

Celeste Abigail Rivas Hernandez was a 14-year-old girl from Lake Elsinore, California. Born to parents who emigrated from El Salvador, she had been reported missing three times in the year before her disappearance, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office. Her final known runaway episode occurred in April 2024, with her last communication to family in May 2024. Investigators confirmed she was alive in September 2024 and January 2025 through digital and surveillance evidence before her death.

Ongoing Investigation

The investigation into Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s death remains active, with law enforcement continuing to gather and analyze evidence. Authorities have not disclosed additional details about potential motives or the timeline of events leading to her death. The case is being handled by the Los Angeles Police Department’s homicide division in coordination with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

As of the date of this report, no formal charges have been filed and the legal process is underway to determine the next steps in the prosecution.