Los Angeles, April 17, 2026 — Rising music artist D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, was arrested on April 16, 2026, by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) on suspicion of murder — more than seven months after the remains of a 14-year-old girl were discovered inside the front trunk of a Tesla registered in his name.
The case centers on Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a teenager from Lake Elsinore, California, who had been reported missing by her family in 2024 when she was just 13 years old. On September 8, 2025, officers were called to a Hollywood tow yard after a worker reported a foul odor coming from an impounded vehicle. Inside, they discovered the decomposed remains of Celeste inside a black cadaver bag in the trunk of the Tesla. A second bag was found containing dismembered body parts.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner identified the body as Celeste Rivas Hernandez on September 16, 2025 — one day after what would have been her 15th birthday. Investigators believe she had been dead for an extended period before the discovery, with evidence suggesting her death occurred months earlier.
Burke, 21, is currently being held without bail. The case is expected to be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, with the major crimes division set to review the matter. No formal charges had been filed for months as a grand jury investigated the case, reportedly questioning executives at Burke's record label, Darkroom/Interscope Records.
D4vd rose to prominence in 2022 through viral TikTok hits like "Romantic Homicide" and "Here With Me." Following the discovery of Celeste's remains, Burke canceled the remaining dates of his Withered World Tour and the deluxe edition release of his debut album Withered was also scrapped. His collaborations with other artists were quietly removed from major streaming platforms.
Throughout the months-long investigation, prosecutors led by Beth Silverman had been pushing for murder charges, with multiple sources indicating Burke was "likely" to face them. A court order had also sealed the medical examiner's findings, including autopsy results, citing potential risks to the ongoing investigation.
The case drew enormous public attention, with internet investigators and true crime communities dissecting digital records, matching tattoos, and social media connections between Burke and the victim. An unreleased song allegedly titled "Celeste" surfaced online, containing lyrics that sparked widespread discussion about the nature of D4vd's relationship with the teenager.
For ongoing and in-depth coverage of this developing case, NBC News has been reporting on every major development since the initial discovery.
As the case now moves toward formal prosecution, the story has cast a harsh spotlight on the intersection of fame, justice, and the protection of vulnerable youth — and the family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez continues to await accountability for her death.
