Rising Star's Album Release Overshadowed by Career Collapse Following Arrest
Musician's album release undermined as brands cut ties following arrest developments.
Event / Security
D4vd Murder Arrest Los Angeles
Singer D4vd (David Anthony Burke), age 21, was arrested on April 16, 2026, by the Los Angeles Police Department for the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The victim's severely decomposed remains were discovered on September 8, 2025, in the trunk of D4vd's abandoned Tesla in the Hollywood Hills. Rivas had been reported missing multiple times since February 2024.
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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
Singer D4vd arrested for murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez
David Anthony Burke, a 21-year-old singer known professionally as D4vd, was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department's Robbery-Homicide Division on April 16, 2026, for the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Burke is being held without bail, and the case will be presented to the District Attorney's office on Monday for filing consideration.
Major fashion brands removed D4vd from marketing campaign following body discovery
Crocs and Hollister ended a collaboration featuring D4vd after the identification of Celeste Rivas Hernandez's body in his vehicle. The brands removed campaign content featuring the musician while the investigation continued.
Decomposed body of missing teenager found in singer's abandoned Tesla
On September 8, 2025, severely decomposed remains of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez were discovered in the trunk of an impounded 2023 Tesla Model Y registered to D4vd. The vehicle was towed from the Bird Streets neighborhood of Hollywood Hills on September 5, 2025, after emitting a foul odor. The body was found dismembered inside black cadaver bags, with the head and torso in one bag and severed arms and legs in another. The remains were so decomposed that the medical examiner could not determine eye color.
Medical examiner placed security hold on autopsy findings in murder investigation
A court order prevented the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner from releasing the autopsy findings for Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The Medical Examiner's office opposed the security hold, stating it precluded them from serving the community with full transparency. The cause of death was listed as deferred at the time of the initial examination.
Grand jury testimony kept sealed until family challenged subpoenas in Texas
Witnesses were summoned to testify before a secret grand jury in downtown Los Angeles regarding the investigation. Sealed documents remained confidential until Burke's parents and brother challenged their subpoenas in their home state of Texas, which led to the release of documents confirming Burke was the target of a murder investigation.
Musician released debut album months before arrest and appeared to be cooperating with investigation
D4vd released his debut studio album 'Withered' in April 2025, which reached number 13 on the Billboard 200. After the discovery of Rivas' body in his Tesla in September 2025, a spokesperson initially stated he was cooperating with authorities. However, by November 2025, he was no longer cooperating with the investigation. His scheduled shows were suspended on September 19, 2025, and the deluxe edition of his album was shelved.
Missing teenager had been reported missing multiple times before death
Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a resident of Lake Elsinore approximately 75 miles southeast of Los Angeles, was reported missing multiple times. Her family reported her missing in February 2024 and again in April 2024 after she ran away from home. She had been missing for nearly 18 months before her body was discovered in September 2025.
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Singer D4vd Arrested in Murder of 14-Year-Old Celeste Rivas Hernandez
Singer D4vd arrested in murder case of 14-year-old whose body was found in abandoned vehicle.