Grand jury investigation into D4vd spans over one year before arrest
Grand jury investigation into D4vd started February 2026, leading to arrest for 2025 teen death discovery.
Event / Security
D4vd Murder Investigation
TikTok singer D4vd arrested in connection with the 2024 disappearance and death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Her remains were discovered in a vehicle in Los Angeles in September 2025.
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2026-08-18 to 2026-11-15 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 17 Apr, 04:36 UTC
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What happened
Dismembered remains of 14-year-old girl found in abandoned Tesla
The decomposed and dismembered body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez was discovered in the trunk of a 2023 Tesla Model Y registered to singer D4vd on September 8, 2025. The vehicle was towed from the Hollywood Hills neighborhood. Investigators found the body in cadaver bags with the arms and legs severed from the torso. The girl was reported missing in 2024 when she was 13 years old.
Burke's defense attorneys deny murder and culpability
Attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter issued statements on behalf of David Burke declaring his innocence. The defense team stated they would vigorously defend Burke's innocence and that evidence would show David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and was not the cause of her death.
Singer D4vd charged with first-degree murder of 14-year-old girl
David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The 21-year-old singer was arrested in Hollywood on Thursday and formally charged Monday by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. The charges include special circumstances allegations that could result in the death penalty.
Singer D4vd charged with sexual abuse of minor and mutilation of remains
In addition to first-degree murder charges, David Burke was charged with lewd and lascivious acts with a person under 14 years of age and mutilating human remains. Prosecutors filed charges with special circumstances allegations that Burke murdered the victim for financial gain and to prevent her from testifying about her own abuse.
Prosecutors allege sexual abuse and murder occurred in April 2025
Prosecutors alleged that David Burke sexually abused Celeste Rivas Hernandez from September 7, 2023 to September 2024. Burke is accused of killing her on or around April 23, 2025, when she was last known to be alive heading to his Hollywood Hills home. Prosecutors allege he mutilated her body approximately two weeks later in early May 2025.
Grand jury investigation preceded formal murder charges against Burke
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office convened a secret grand jury to investigate Celeste's death. The existence of the investigation and Burke's status as its target became public in February 2026 when Burke's mother, father, and brother objected to subpoenas in a Texas court demanding they testify. The grand jury investigation formally occurred before Burke's arrest.
Singer D4vd dropped from record label following discovery
David Burke was dropped by Interscope Records, his record label. Burke had signed with Darkroom and Interscope Records after his 2022 viral success on TikTok with the song 'Romantic Homicide.'
Burke canceled tour performances after remains discovery
Singer D4vd canceled the final two shows of his North American tour and a planned European tour after news reports surfaced linking him to the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. He had initially continued touring after her remains were discovered on September 8, 2025.
Singer D4vd subject of grand jury investigation into teen's death
In February 2025, court documents revealed that singer David Burke was the target of a Los Angeles County grand jury investigation into the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Prosecutors issued grand jury subpoenas on January 15, 2025, seeking testimony from three of Burke's relatives regarding his potential involvement in the killing.
Singer cancels tour dates following discovery of body in vehicle
Singer D4vd was on his Withered World Tour when the body was discovered in his Tesla in September 2025. He subsequently canceled the remaining North American tour dates, including shows in San Francisco and Los Angeles, as well as a planned European tour. Promotion for his debut album was also paused.
Teenage girl reported missing from California in 2024
Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 13-year-old seventh grader, was reported missing in 2024 from Lake Elsinore, California, approximately 70 miles southeast of Los Angeles. She was last seen on April 5, 2024, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Office.
Singer D4vd arrested on suspicion of murder in teen's death
David Burke, a 21-year-old singer known as D4vd, was arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Burke is being held without bail. The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for filing consideration.
Victim's body found dismembered with severed limbs
Investigators discovered that the body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez had been dismembered, with arms and legs severed from the torso. The remains were found in cadaver bags in the Tesla's front storage compartment. Authorities indicated the process of dismembering and disposing of the body likely involved more than one person. The victim may have been dead for several weeks before discovery.
Decomposed body of missing teenage girl found in abandoned Tesla
On September 8, 2025, the decomposed remains of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez were discovered in the trunk of a 2023 Tesla Model Y at an impound lot in Hollywood, Los Angeles. Officers responded to the location after reports of a foul odor from the vehicle, which had been towed from the Hollywood Hills. The Tesla was registered to singer D4vd.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez reported missing from Lake Elsinore in 2024
Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 13-year-old seventh grader, was reported missing from Lake Elsinore, California, approximately 70 miles southeast of Los Angeles. She was last seen on April 5, 2024. Investigators determined she was 14 years old at the time of her death.
Singer D4vd canceled remaining U.S. tour dates and European tour
After the body was discovered in his Tesla and reports linking him to the case gained wider attention, D4vd canceled the remaining dates of his U.S. tour. He had been performing on the tour at the time of the body's discovery before subsequently canceling the shows and halting his planned European tour.
Singer D4vd arrested in connection with murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez
David Burke, known professionally as singer D4vd, was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department in connection with the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Burke, a 21-year-old Los Angeles resident, is being held without bail. The case is scheduled to be presented to the District Attorney's office for consideration of formal charges.
D4vd was target of Los Angeles County grand jury investigation since February 2026
Prosecutors identified David Burke as the target of a grand jury investigation in Los Angeles County beginning in February 2026 in relation to Celeste Rivas Hernandez's death. Grand jury subpoenas were issued on January 15, 2026, seeking testimony from three of Burke's relatives, including his mother, father, and brother, regarding potential involvement in the murder.
Body of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez found in abandoned Tesla trunk in September 2025
The decomposed body of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was discovered on September 8, 2025, in the trunk of a 2023 Tesla Model Y registered to singer D4vd. The vehicle was impounded in Los Angeles, towed from the Hollywood Hills area. Upon examination, investigators found the body was dismembered, with arms and legs severed from the torso and placed in separate bags.
Body of missing 14-year-old girl found in Tesla registered to singer D4vd
Remains of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old girl who went missing in April 2024, were discovered on September 8, 2025, in a Tesla Model Y registered to singer D4vd. Her decomposed body was found in a bag in the front trunk of the vehicle, which had been towed from the Hollywood Hills neighborhood in Los Angeles. Medical examination indicated she had been dead for weeks before discovery.
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2 alternative perspectives
D4vd's Career Hits Pause Amid Legal Crisis and Tour Cancellation
D4vd's rising music career and gaming ventures face disruption following arrest and tour cancellation.
Singer D4vd Arrested Following Discovery of Missing Teen's Body
Singer D4vd arrested after missing teen's body found in his registered vehicle.