Singer D4vd Charged with Murder in Death of Teen Girl Found in Tesla Trunk

On April 20, 2026, Los Angeles County prosecutors charged 21-year-old singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, with first-degree murder in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Her remains were discovered in September 2024 in the trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke’s Texas address, more than a year after she was reported missing.

According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, Burke has been charged with multiple felony counts, including first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a minor and mutilation of human remains. Prosecutors allege that the sexual abuse occurred between September 7, 2023, and September 7, 2024, while Burke resided with and had recurring access to the victim. Celeste would have turned 13 on September 7, 2023.

The district attorney also announced that prosecutors are seeking three special circumstance enhancements to the murder charge: lying in wait, financial gain, and murder of a witness to an investigation. These enhancements could expose Burke to a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or, if pursued, the death penalty. A decision on whether to seek capital punishment will be made at a later date.

Burke was arrested last week and made his first court appearance on Monday, April 20, 2026. He did not speak during the arraignment; his legal team entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf. His attorneys, Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter, have stated they will vigorously defend his innocence, asserting that the evidence will show Burke did not cause Celeste’s death.

The case has drawn significant public attention due to the nature of the allegations and the high-profile status of the accused. Burke, known for his breakout hit “Romantic Homicide,” rose to prominence in the music industry in recent years. The victim’s family attended the court proceedings, with the district attorney acknowledging the profound impact of the loss on her parents.

As of the arraignment, the coroner’s report detailing the cause of death has not been released to the public, following a rare judicial order to keep the findings sealed during the ongoing investigation. The trial date has not yet been set.