Singer D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, was arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. According to reports from multiple sources, her dismembered body was found in his Tesla at a Hollywood tow yard last September.
Key Takeaways
Singer D4vd (David Anthony Burke) was arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Her dismembered body was found in his Tesla at a Hollywood tow yard last September.
- Singer D4vd, real name David Anthony Burke, arrested for murder
- Body of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez found in his Tesla in September 2025
- Burke held without bail; case presented to District Attorney's office on Monday
- Body discovered after reports of foul odor from the vehicle
- Grand jury began hearing evidence in December
The arrest, announced by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) on Thursday, marks a significant development in the case that has been under investigation since December. Burke, 21, is being held without bail and will have his case presented to the District Attorney's office on Monday as reported by BBC News.
The body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez was discovered on September 8, 2025 after authorities received reports of a foul odor emanating from the vehicle. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department confirmed that she had been reported missing from Lake Elsinore over a year ago. Her body was found severely decomposed and dismembered inside a cadaver bag in the trunk of Burke's Tesla.
The case has drawn significant online attention, with many speculating about the singer's connection to the victim. The lack of information regarding the cause of death has fueled intrigue for months as reported by BBC News. A grand jury began hearing evidence in December, and Burke's arrest on Thursday marks the first major development in weeks.
According to NPR, investigators found a cadaver bag 'covered with insects and a strong odor of decay' inside the Tesla. Detectives partially unzipped the bag and observed a decomposed head and torso. Investigators from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office discovered that the arms and legs had been severed from the body. A second black bag was found under the first, containing dismembered body parts.
Burke gained popularity among Generation Z fans for his blend of indie rock, R&B, and lo-fi pop. He went viral on TikTok in 2022 with the hit 'Romantic Homicide,' which peaked at No. 4 on Billboard's Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. When the body was discovered, Burke had been on tour in support of his first full-length album, 'Withered.' Later, the last two North American shows, in San Francisco and Los Angeles, along with a scheduled performance at LA's Grammy Museum, were canceled, as was the European tour that was to have begun in Norway.
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