David Anthony Burke, the 21-year-old musician known as D4vd, has been charged with first-degree murder in the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose dismembered body was discovered in the front trunk of his Tesla after it sat abandoned for months in the Hollywood Hills.
The charges, announced by Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, include one count each of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. Burke pleaded not guilty to all counts during his arraignment on April 20, 2026, and is being held without bail.
A Foul Odor Led to the Discovery
On September 8, 2025, officers responded to Hollywood Tow, an impound lot in Los Angeles, after someone reported a strong smell emanating from a vehicle. The 2023 Tesla Model Y had been towed after being found abandoned on a Hollywood street, where neighbors said it had been parked since late July.
Inside the front trunk, detectives found two bags. One contained a decomposed head and torso. The second held dismembered arms and legs. Forensic testing later confirmed the remains were those of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old runaway from Lake Elsinore, California. Her body was found one day after what would have been her 15th birthday.
The Tesla was registered in Burke’s name at his family’s address, according to court filings. At the time of the discovery, D4vd was performing in Minneapolis as part of a world tour promoting his debut album, “Withered.”
Prosecutors Allege He Killed Her to Protect His Career
According to the DA’s office, Celeste was last known to be alive on April 23, 2025, the same day she arrived at Burke’s Hollywood Hills home. It was also the day tickets for his world tour went on pre-sale. His debut album dropped just two days later.
Hochman alleged that Burke killed Celeste “when she threatened to expose his criminal conduct and devastate his musical career.” The criminal complaint states that she was a witness to lewd and lascivious sexual acts that Burke is accused of committing against her. Detectives said they learned Celeste, who had run away from home in Riverside County, was involved in a sexual relationship with the singer.
The charges carry special circumstance allegations of murder of a witness, murder for financial gain, and lying in wait. Burke is accused of using a “deadly and dangerous weapon, to wit, sharp instrument” in the killing. Prosecutors believe the body was mutilated on May 5, 2025, and the dismembered remains sat decomposing in the car for over four months before they were found.
A Seven-Month Gap Between Discovery and Arrest
Burke was not arrested until April 16, 2026, more than seven months after the body was found. The delay drew public criticism, but LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell defended the timeline, saying the condition of the remains delayed the medical examiner’s work and that the time between Celeste’s death and the discovery meant critical evidence had degraded or disappeared.
Behind the scenes, a grand jury investigation was underway. Its existence became public in February 2026 when Burke’s mother, father, and brother fought subpoenas in a Texas court demanding they testify. A Texas judge ordered them to attend. In January 2026, a young associate of Burke’s was arrested on a material witness warrant. The prosecution noted that more than 40 terabytes of digital evidence remain to be processed.
Defense Team Denies All Charges
Burke’s defense attorneys, Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter, denied his guilt and vowed to fight the allegations. Berk, who is part of a high-profile law firm that has represented Harvey Weinstein, Kanye West, and Britney Spears, requested a preliminary hearing at the earliest possible date. The defense also argued that they had received almost no discovery related to the case.
Burke’s parents released a statement saying they were “not surprised but are terribly disappointed” by the charges and that they “support and stand by him one hundred percent.”
Fallout Across the Music Industry
D4vd rose to fame on TikTok in 2022 with the hit “Romantic Homicide,” which peaked at No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. He signed with Darkroom and Interscope Records and built a loyal Gen Z following with his blend of indie rock, R&B, and lo-fi pop.
Since the discovery, the music industry has distanced itself from Burke. Singer Kali Uchis pulled their collaboration “Crashing” from streaming services. Icelandic artist Laufey removed “This Is How It Feels.” English singer Holly Humberstone removed “superbloodmoon,” which featured Burke, from all platforms. EA Sports pulled his song from the Madden NFL 26 soundtrack, and he was dropped from the Spilt Milk 2025 festival lineup. His label has effectively frozen his career.
If prosecutors pursue the death penalty, a decision Hochman said would come later, this case could become one of the most high-profile capital murder trials in Los Angeles in years. The coroner’s full report has not yet been made public.