The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced on Monday (early Tuesday AEST) that David Burke, known in the music world as the 21-year-old artist D4vd, has been charged with the first-degree murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. In addition to murder, Burke faces charges of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under 14, and mutilating a body.

The murder charges come with special circumstances, including lying in wait, committing a crime for financial gain, and killing a witness in an investigation—each of which could lead to the death penalty. Prosecutors have yet to decide if they will pursue this option.

Following his arrest by homicide detectives on Thursday at a Hollywood residence, Burke’s attorneys issued a statement asserting his innocence. The Houston-born alt-pop singer maintains he is not responsible for Hernandez’s death.

“We want to be absolutely clear—the evidence in this case will demonstrate that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and was not responsible for her death,” Burke’s legal team stated.

The remains of Rivas Hernandez were discovered inside a Tesla that had been towed from the Hollywood Hills on September 8, just a day after what would have been her 15th birthday. Her disappearance had been reported by her family in Lake Elsinore, located roughly 110 kilometers southeast of Los Angeles.

Burke had been under investigation by an LA County grand jury regarding Hernandez’s death. Although the details of the investigation were confidential, its existence and Burke’s status as a primary suspect were disclosed in February. This revelation came as his family members in Texas challenged subpoenas that required them to testify.

The 2023 Tesla Model Y was registered in the singer’s name at the Texas address of his subpoenaed family members, according to court filings from prosecutors. It had been towed from an upscale Hollywood Hills neighbourhood where it had been sitting as though it was abandoned.

Police investigators searching the Tesla in a tow yard found a cadaver bag “covered with insects and a strong odour of decay”, court documents said. Detectives partially unzipped a bag and found a head and torso.

Investigators from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office removed the bag and “discovered the arms and legs had been severed from the body”, according to court documents.

A second black bag was found under the first, and dismembered body parts were inside it. No cause of death has been publicly revealed, and police got a judge to block the release details of the autopsy.

On Friday, the medical examiner told The Associated Press the court order remained in place after Burke’s arrest, and suggested to ask the police whether they would ask to lift it.

The family of Rivas Hernandez has remained private and has not made any public statements on her death or the case.

D4vd, pronounced “David”, gained popularity among Gen Z for his blend of indie rock, R&B and lo-fi pop. He went viral on TikTok in 2022 with the hit Romantic Homicide, which peaked at No.4 four on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart.

He then signed with Darkroom and Interscope Records and released his debut EP Petals to Thorns and a follow-up, The Lost Petals, in 2023.

When the body was discovered, the singer continued his North American tour, but when reports of his possible involvement spread widely, he cancelled the final two shows and a European tour that was to follow.

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