In a shocking turn of events, singer D4vd has been taken into custody by the Los Angeles Police Department following the grim discovery of a teenage girl’s body in the trunk of a Tesla. The vehicle, registered to D4vd, was towed in September, leading to the discovery. The young artist, whose real name is David Burke, finds himself in a serious legal predicament as he faces accusations relating to the alleged murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
David Burke, a 21-year-old resident of Los Angeles, is currently being held without bail as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident. While no formal charges have yet been filed, the arrest was made based on evidence and probable cause developed by the investigators, according to sources familiar with the case.
This case is expected to take a significant step forward as it moves to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office for consideration of charges. The legal process will determine the next course of action in this unfolding narrative.
The legal team representing Burke has come forward with a staunch defense, asserting his innocence. “We want to make it unequivocally clear that the evidence will demonstrate David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez,” they stated. “He is being detained solely on suspicion, with no grand jury indictment or criminal complaint filed. We are committed to proving his innocence vigorously.”
The victim, Celeste Rivas Hernandez, was a 14-year-old resident of Lake Elsinore in Riverside County. She had been reported missing earlier in 2024, a fact that has added gravity and urgency to the investigation. As this case unfolds, the community remains watchful for justice and answers.
Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old from Lake Elsinore in Riverside County, was reported missing in 2024, investigators confirmed to ABC News in October.
According to sources at the time, the girl’s body was dismembered, and the process of dismembering and disposing of her body is believed to have likely involved more than one person.
The teen may have been dead for several weeks before her body was discovered, police said.
Officers responded to an impound lot in Hollywood on Sept. 8 “for a foul odor coming from a vehicle,” Los Angeles police said.
Authorities located a body in the front trunk of the Tesla that was in a state of decomposition, LAPD sources said.
The Tesla had been at the impound lot for two days after being found abandoned on a Hollywood street, investigators said. The towed vehicle was registered to Burke.
D4vd, who first went viral on TikTok, where he has nearly 4 million followers, had been on his “Withered” world tour when the body was discovered in his vehicle. The last few shows of the tour, including those in San Francisco and Los Angeles, were canceled.
Shows on the European leg of the tour were also canceled.
Promotion on the deluxe edition of the “Romantic Homicide” singer’s debut album, which was set to be released on Sept. 19, was also paused, a source close to the situation previously told ABC News.
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