Musician D4vd Arrested for Murder of Teen Celeste Rivas Hernandez in Shocking LA Case
In a development that has captivated Los Angeles for over six months, alt-pop singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, was arrested on Thursday for the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The arrest marks a significant turn in a tragic case that began when the teenager's dismembered remains were discovered in the trunk of a Tesla Model Y registered to Burke in September 2025.
Arrest Follows Months of Investigation and Grand Jury Probe
Authorities from the Los Angeles Police Department's Robbery-Homicide Division apprehended Burke, 21, at a residence on a prestigious Hollywood street. He is currently being held without bail as the department prepares to present the case to the district attorney's office for potential charges. The arrest, while sudden, aligns with earlier reports from November 2024 that identified Burke as a suspect, and a subsequent grand jury investigation that became public in February 2025.
The grim discovery occurred on September 8, 2025, just one day after Rivas Hernandez would have celebrated her 15th birthday. Her body, found severely decomposed in cadaver bags inside the Tesla, had been transported to a tow yard. The medical examiner's office noted she had likely been dead for an extended period, though no official cause of death has been released due to an unusual request by police to withhold autopsy findings to protect the investigation's integrity.
Family and Community Grieve for "Beloved" Teen
Celeste Rivas Hernandez, described by her family as a "beloved daughter, sister, cousin, and friend," was reported missing from her hometown of Lake Elsinore, approximately 70 miles from Los Angeles. Police records indicate she had run away and returned home before disappearing again. Her brother, Matthew Rivas, revealed to local media that the family knew she was acquainted with Burke and that she had gone to see a movie with him prior to her disappearance.
According to sources cited by the Los Angeles Times, the teenager had been living with Burke in a rental home during the time she was reported missing. The community remembers her as a quiet, sweet, studious, and intelligent seventh grader, with a missing-person poster noting she was last seen wearing Hello Kitty sandals. A family friend emphasized, "She deserves justice," echoing the sentiments of many who have followed this heartbreaking case.
Legal Proceedings and Career Implications
Burke's attorneys, Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter, have stated their client's innocence, asserting that no indictment or criminal complaint has been filed and that evidence will exonerate him. However, the investigation has involved multiple legal steps, including police searches of Burke's residence and a grand jury that subpoenaed his family members. A friend of Burke, influencer Neo Langston, was arrested for failing to testify before the grand jury.
Prior to this case, Burke's music career was on an upward trajectory, with viral hits like "Romantic Homicide" and "Here With Me," opening for SZA, and collaborations with artists such as Kali Uchis. He was on tour when Rivas Hernandez's body was discovered, adding a layer of complexity to the timeline of events.
The Los Angeles Police Department plans to move forward with the case early next week, as the community and the victim's family await further developments in the pursuit of justice for Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
