Riverside County sheriff’s deputies arrested singer D4vd on Tuesday in connection with the death of 16-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was found in a desert area near Temecula in April 2024.
The arrest follows a two-year investigation into the disappearance of Rivas Hernandez, who was last seen by her family in Lake Elsinore in April 2024 after repeatedly running away from home. Deputies said D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, was taken into custody at his Los Angeles residence without incident and is being held on suspicion of murder.
Investigators cite digital evidence and witness accounts in building the case
Sheriff’s officials said the arrest resulted from forensic analysis of cellphone data, social media interactions, and statements from individuals who knew both the singer and the teenager. They declined to specify the nature of the evidence but confirmed it linked D4vd to the location where Rivas Hernandez’s remains were discovered.
This marks the first time a musician with charting success has been arrested on suspicion of murder in Southern California since the 2010 detention of rapper Corey Miller in a New Orleans shooting case, though charges in that incident were later reduced.
Rivas Hernandez’s background highlights vulnerabilities faced by migrant youth
Friends and neighbors described Rivas Hernandez as a quiet girl who frequently walked to a local corner store for snacks, a routine noted by the Los Angeles Times during earlier coverage of her disappearances. Her parents, who immigrated from El Salvador, reported she had fled home multiple times before her final disappearance.
Advocates say her case reflects patterns seen among first-generation immigrant teens, where family conflict, cultural adjustment, and limited access to support systems can increase the risk of running away, and exploitation.
Legal proceedings expected to begin within weeks
D4vd remains in Riverside County jail awaiting arraignment, where prosecutors will formally present charges. If convicted of murder, he faces a potential sentence of 25 years to life in state prison under California law.
The singer, known for the 2022 hit “Romantic Homicide,” has not released music since 2023 and canceled all scheduled performances following his arrest. His record label has not issued a public statement.
What charges could D4vd face?
He is currently held on suspicion of murder, which could be filed as first- or second-degree murder depending on prosecutors’ assessment of intent and circumstances.
Why did the arrest take two years?
Investigators said the delay was due to the time required to analyze digital evidence, confirm forensic findings, and corroborate witness statements before seeking an arrest warrant.
