Los Angeles police arrested singer D4vd on Thursday on suspicion of murder in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose dismembered remains were found seven months earlier in the front trunk of his Tesla.
The 21-year-old artist, whose legal name is David Burke, was taken into custody at his home on Marmont Avenue in the Hollywood Hills just after 4:30 p.m. On a probable cause warrant. He is being held without bail as authorities prepare to present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on Monday for charging consideration.
Investigators say the Tesla, a 2023 Model Y registered to Burke at a Texas address linked to his family, had been towed from an upscale Hollywood Hills neighborhood in September after sitting apparently abandoned for over a month. A tow yard worker reported a foul odor, leading to the discovery of a cadaver bag teeming with insects and emitting a strong stench of decay.
When deputies opened the bag, they found the teenager’s head and torso, with arms and legs severed from the body, according to court documents cited by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office. The remains were identified as Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who had been reported missing in 2024 from Lake Elsinore, approximately 60 to 70 miles southeast of Los Angeles.
Authorities determined she had been deceased in the vehicle for an extended period before being found. Her body was discovered on September 8, 2025, one day after what would have been her 15th birthday.
The arrest comes after a months-long grand jury investigation into her death, the existence of which was revealed in February when Burke’s parents and brother objected in Texas court to subpoenas seeking their testimony. Until his arrest, police had not publicly named him as a suspect.
Burke’s legal team — attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter — issued their first public statement via email, insisting the evidence will show he did not cause her death. They emphasized that no grand jury has returned an indictment and no criminal complaint has been filed, noting he is being held solely on suspicion.
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“Let us be clear — the actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death,” the lawyers stated. “We will vigorously defend David’s innocence.”
The singer, who rose to fame in 2022 with viral TikTok hits like “Romantic Homicide,” had been on a world tour when the remains were discovered, with stops in Minneapolis and Kansas City. The tour was later canceled. His music, particularly the song “Romantic Homicide,” has drawn renewed scrutiny due to its lyrical themes.
Burke’s collaborations with artists such as SZA and Kali Uchis followed his online breakout. In September 2024, a spokesperson said he was fully cooperating with investigators, and police had obtained a search warrant for a Hollywood Hills residence where he had been staying, seizing a computer and other items.
Celeste’s brother, Matthew, told NBCLA in September that before she went missing, she had said she was on her way to watch a movie with Burke. Authorities have not commented on the nature of their relationship.
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The case has drawn attention from online sleuths attempting to connect the two, though police have not confirmed any details about how or when they may have interacted.
What evidence led to D4vd’s arrest?
Police say they followed the evidence, including the discovery of the dismembered body in Burke’s registered Tesla and prior investigative steps like a search warrant and grand jury proceedings, which together supported the probable cause warrant for his arrest.
Has D4vd been formally charged with murder?
No. As of his arrest, D4vd has not been indicted or charged; the district attorney’s office will review the case on Monday to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to file formal charges.
Why was the arrest made months after the body was found?
Law enforcement said they delayed the arrest to avoid compromising the investigation, ensuring they followed the evidence properly before taking action.
