Alt-Pop Star D4vd Charged with First-Degree Murder After Dismembered Teen Body Found in Abandoned Tesla

POLICY WIRE — Los Angeles, United States — Alt-pop recording artist D4vd, whose legal name is David Burke, has been officially charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of a 14-year-old girl whose dismembered remains were discovered in his seemingly abandoned Tesla last September.

Prosecutors announced the charges on Friday against the 21-year-old singer. The victim, identified as Celeste Rivas Hernandez, was reported missing by her family in 2024 when she was 13 years old. Authorities later confirmed her age as 14 at the time of her death.

Grim Discovery and Legal Proceedings

The grim discovery occurred when Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s body, in a decomposed and dismembered state, was found inside a Tesla that had been towed from the Hollywood Hills on September 8th. This date was just one day after what would have been her 15th birthday. Her family had previously reported her disappearance from their home in Lake Elsinore, located approximately 70 miles southeast of Los Angeles.

Following an extensive investigation, D4vd was apprehended on Thursday at a residence in Hollywood. His legal team quickly issued a statement asserting his 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," his attorneys declared.

The singer was not publicly identified as a suspect until his recent arrest. Prior to this, an LA County grand jury had been conducting a confidential probe into the young girl’s death. The existence of this secret investigation, and Burke’s status as its target, became known in February after his mother, father, and brother contested subpoenas in a Texas court that demanded their testimony.

Court documents filed by prosecutors reveal that the 2023 Tesla Model Y where the remains were found was registered in Burke’s name. The registration address matched that of his subpoenaed family members in Texas. The vehicle had been observed in an upscale Hollywood Hills neighborhood, appearing to be deserted before it was towed.

Police investigators examining the Tesla at a tow yard made the horrifying discovery of a cadaver bag. It was described in court documents as "covered with insects and a strong odor of decay." Upon partially unzipping the bag, detectives found a head and torso. Further investigation by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that "the arms and legs had been severed from the body." A second black bag discovered beneath the first also contained dismembered human remains.

The exact cause of death has not been publicly disclosed. A judge issued an order blocking the release of details from the autopsy report. Even after Burke’s arrest, the medical examiner confirmed on Friday that this court order remains in effect, deferring inquiries about its potential lifting to law enforcement.

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Artist’s Career and Public Reaction

D4vd, pronounced "David," gained significant traction among Gen Z audiences for his distinctive blend of indie rock, R&B, and lo-fi pop music. His 2022 hit, "Romantic Homicide," went viral on TikTok and soared to No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart.

Following this success, he secured deals with Darkroom and Interscope Records. He subsequently released his debut EP, "Petals to Thorns," and a follow-up, "The Lost Petals," both in 2023. Initially, the singer continued his North American tour after the body’s discovery.

However, as reports implicating his potential involvement began to circulate widely, he ultimately canceled the remaining two shows of that tour and a planned European tour. The family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez has maintained a private stance, refraining from any public statements regarding her death or the ongoing legal case.

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