Singer D4vd Arrested on Suspicion of Murder in Teen's Death
Alt-pop singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Burke, has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, authorities announced Thursday. The 21-year-old Houston-born artist is being held without bail as investigators prepare to present their case to prosecutors.
Defense Declares Innocence Amidst Arrest
Defense attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter issued a strong statement declaring Burke's innocence. "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," they stated in an email response.
The legal team emphasized that no indictment has been returned by any grand jury and no criminal complaint has been filed. "David has only been detained under suspicion. We will vigorously defend David's innocence," the attorneys added, highlighting the preliminary nature of the allegations.
Police Investigation and Prosecutorial Review
Los Angeles police homicide detectives made the arrest following an investigation into the killing of Rivas Hernandez. Authorities plan to present their case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office on Monday for review. The District Attorney's Office confirmed awareness of the arrest, noting its Major Crimes Division will evaluate whether sufficient evidence exists to file formal charges.
This marks the first public statement naming Burke as a suspect in the case. The singer had been under investigation by an LA County grand jury examining Rivas Hernandez's death, though the probe was officially secret until February 25 when his family members filed objections to subpoenas in Texas court.
Gruesome Discovery in Abandoned Tesla
The decomposing body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez was discovered on September 8 in a Tesla Model Y that had been towed from the Hollywood Hills. The vehicle, registered in Burke's name at his family's Texas address according to court documents, had been sitting seemingly abandoned in an upscale neighborhood.
Police investigators searching the Tesla in a tow yard made a horrific discovery: a cadaver bag "covered with insects and a strong odor of decay." Court documents reveal that "detectives partially unzipped the bag and observed a decomposed head and torso."
Further examination by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office revealed even more disturbing details. The arms and legs had been severed from the body, and a second black bag containing dismembered body parts was found beneath the first. No cause of death has been publicly disclosed.
Victim's Background and Timeline
Celeste Rivas Hernandez would have turned 15 the day before her body was discovered. Her family had reported her missing in 2024 from her hometown of Lake Elsinore, approximately 70 miles southeast of Los Angeles. At the time of her disappearance, she was a 13-year-old seventh grader, though authorities list her age as 14 when she was killed in court documents.
D4vd's Musical Career and Tour Disruptions
D4vd, pronounced "David," rose to prominence among Generation Z fans with his unique blend of indie rock, R&B, and lo-fi pop. He achieved viral success on TikTok in 2022 with his hit song "Romantic Homicide," which peaked at number four on Billboard's Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart.
The singer subsequently signed with Darkroom and Interscope Records, releasing his debut EP "Petals to Thorns" and follow-up "The Lost Petals" in 2023. When Rivas Hernandez's body was discovered, D4vd had been touring in support of his first full-length album, "Withered."
Following the investigation's revelation, the final two North American shows in San Francisco and Los Angeles were canceled, along with a scheduled performance at LA's Grammy Museum. The European tour that was set to begin in Norway was also called off.
The case continues to develop as legal proceedings move forward, with prosecutors expected to make charging decisions following their review of the evidence presented by police investigators.
