Singer D4vd charged with murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez
Consensus Summary
Singer David Burke, known professionally as D4vd, was charged with the first-degree murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose dismembered body was found in his Tesla in September 2025. Burke pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers maintain his innocence, arguing evidence will prove he was not responsible for her death. The case involves additional charges of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under 14 and mutilating human remains, with prosecutors alleging Burke engaged in a sexual relationship with Celeste before her death. The investigation, which had been secret, was revealed in February 2026 after Burkeās family objected to subpoenas in Texas. Celeste, who was reported missing in 2024 when she was 13, was last seen in Lake Elsinore, California, and her remains were discovered in a Tesla registered to Burke, which had been abandoned in Hollywood Hills. The cause of death remains undisclosed, and a judge blocked the release of autopsy details to preserve the integrity of the investigation. Burkeās career, which took off with viral TikTok hits like 'Romantic Homicide,' has been overshadowed by the case, leading to the cancellation of his tour after reports of his possible involvement spread.
ā Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- David Burke (aka D4vd), a 21-year-old alt-pop singer, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old girl whose dismembered body was found in his Tesla on September 8, 2025.
- Celeste Rivas Hernandez was reported missing in 2024 when she was 13, and authorities say she was 14 when she died.
- The Tesla Model Y, registered in Burkeās name, was towed from an upscale Hollywood Hills neighborhood on September 8, 2025, where it appeared abandoned.
- Burke was arrested on April 17, 2026, at a home in Hollywood, and charged with first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under 14, and mutilating human remains.
- Burkeās lawyers released a statement claiming he is innocent and that evidence will prove he did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
- Celeste Rivas Hernandez was last seen alive in Lake Elsinore, about 70 miles (115 km) southeast of Los Angeles, in 2024.
- Burkeās arrest and charges were announced after a secret grand jury investigation, revealed in February 2026 when his family objected to subpoenas in a Texas court.
- Burkeās music career began with viral TikTok hits, including 'Romantic Homicide,' which peaked at No. 4 on Billboardās Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart in 2022.
- The cause of death has not been publicly revealed, and a judge blocked the release of autopsy details to protect the investigation.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Nathan Hochman, the LA district attorney, stated during a press conference that Burke engaged in a sexual relationship with Celeste and that the murder was a 'brutal and horrific' crime.
- The murder charge includes special circumstances alleging Burke was lying in wait and killed Celeste for financial gain to maintain his career.
- The second black bag found under the first contained additional dismembered body parts, and the remains were described as 'covered with insects and a strong odor of decay'.
- The family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez has remained private and has not made any public statements on her death or the case.
- A GoFundMe for Celesteās family described her as a 'beloved daughter, sister, cousin, and friend,' and a missing person poster noted she was last seen wearing Hello Kitty sandals.
- The condition of the remains delayed the medical examinerās ability to determine the cause of death, and crucial evidence degraded or disappeared.
- The murder charges include special circumstances that could carry the death penalty, though prosecutors have not announced whether they will seek it.
- The medical examiner told The Associated Press that the court order blocking autopsy details remained in place after Burkeās arrest, and police would decide whether to lift it.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states the Tesla was towed from the Hollywood Hills on September 8, 2025, while ABC does not specify the exact date of towing but confirms the discovery of the body in September 2025.
- The Guardian mentions the Tesla was registered in Burkeās name at the Texas address of his subpoenaed family members, but ABC does not explicitly state the registration location beyond it being linked to his family.
Source Articles
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US singer D4vd charged with murdering 14yo girl found in his Tesla
The 21-year-old, who rose to fame after going viral on TikTok, is facing charges including first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with an individual under 14, and mutilating a body.