American musician D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, has been charged with the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated that on April 23, 2025, the girl went to Burke's house in the Hollywood Hills and "was never heard from again." Her dismembered and decomposed remains were discovered on September 8, 2025, in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke, marking the start of the investigation.
Hochman announced three sets of charges against the singer: first-degree murder with special circumstances of "lying in wait," an additional charge of murder for "financial gain," and murder of a witness to an investigation. The prosecutor alleged that Burke killed the teenager to maintain his lucrative music career, which Celeste was "threatening" that night. The charges also include numerous sexual acts with a minor and mutilation of a body. The DA's office could potentially seek the death penalty in this case.
Burke's lawyers, in a statement following his arrest last week, denied the allegations, asserting that "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." Burke remains in custody without bail, with his arraignment scheduled for Monday in downtown Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell addressed criticism over the prolonged investigation, stating, "My duty is not to fuel speculation. It's to deliver justice, and that requires patience and discipline on everybody's part." He explained that the condition of the teen's remains delayed determining the cause of death, and evidence had degraded or disappeared over time. District Attorney Hochman, when asked about the delay in making an arrest, cited difficulties in interviewing multiple individuals and examining all evidence.
D4vd (David Burke), from Houston, Texas, is best known for moody indie-pop hits like "Here With Me" and "Romantic Homicide." He released his debut album in April 2025, amassing 22 million monthly listeners on Spotify. After the remains were found, he canceled his world tour and retreated from the public eye. Celeste Rivas Hernandez's family has not yet spoken publicly about the case, and the legal proceedings are ongoing as the grand jury investigation continues.
Source: www.bbc.com