{"url":"https://news.google.com/read/CBMickFVX3lxTFAwVzRiYjF6TVRaa01zcmdFc0tKWW5UY0NobHBnTGItS2lIUnhPQ3U1SEpMUm9pUzNYZi1VcEhTWXRRUDBPWDlqTGNRMGRKQU1CRkdhaUlQQ2ZWcGRHcHJneHZfX0Y5enpHN25UZmJuMmhDZw?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en","title":"Singer D4vd charged with teen's murder in Tesla trunk case","domain":"news.google.com","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/35736782/pexels-photo-35736782.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","pexelsSearchTerm":"tesla electric car charging","category":"Entertainment","language":"en","slug":"ebfe562e","id":"ebfe562e-341b-496c-944f-0e796621ffc6","description":"D4vd Charged: Singer David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, faces first-degree murder charges for killing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.[[1]](https://ww","summary":"## TL;DR\n- **D4vd Charged:** Singer David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, faces first-degree murder charges for killing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.[[1]](https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/20/us/d4vd-case-update-celeste-rivas-hernandez)[[2]](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-20/d4vd-murder-charge-slaying-celeste-rivas-hernandez)\n- **Body Discovery:** Hernandez's dismembered, decomposed remains found September 8, 2025, in trunk of Burke's abandoned Tesla at Hollywood tow yard.[[1]](https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/20/us/d4vd-case-update-celeste-rivas-hernandez)[[3]](https://variety.com/2026/music/news/d4vd-arrested-death-teen-found-tesla-trunk-1236586320)\n- **Arraignment Pending:** Burke arrested April 16, 2026; faces life without parole or death penalty; defense insists evidence clears him.[[1]](https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/20/us/d4vd-case-update-celeste-rivas-hernandez)[[4]](https://apnews.com/article/d4vd-charges-celeste-rivas-hernandez-a5ae08c1dda921dad1750d3ceda16c47)\n\n## The story at a glance\nLos Angeles County prosecutors charged 21-year-old singer David Anthony Burke, professionally known as D4vd, with first-degree murder and related offenses in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez on April 20, 2026. Hernandez's dismembered and decomposed body was found seven months earlier in the trunk of Burke's towed Tesla near his Hollywood Hills home, after she visited there on April 23, 2025, and vanished. The charges follow Burke's arrest on April 16 and a lengthy investigation involving a grand jury, prompted by the body's discovery during his tour.[[1]](https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/20/us/d4vd-case-update-celeste-rivas-hernandez)[[2]](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-20/d4vd-murder-charge-slaying-celeste-rivas-hernandez)\n\n## Key points\n- Burke charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances (lying in wait, financial gain to protect music career, killing a witness to sexual acts), lewd/lascivious acts with a minor under 14, continuous sexual acts, and mutilating remains.[[1]](https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/20/us/d4vd-case-update-celeste-rivas-hernandez)[[4]](https://apnews.com/article/d4vd-charges-celeste-rivas-hernandez-a5ae08c1dda921dad1750d3ceda16c47)\n- Hernandez, from Lake Elsinore, reported missing multiple times starting early 2024 at age 13; photos and livestreams link her to Burke from January 2024 onward, including backstage at his show and near her home.[[1]](https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/20/us/d4vd-case-update-celeste-rivas-hernandez)\n- Body found September 8, 2025 (day after her 15th birthday) emitting foul odor; car abandoned near Burke's rental home; he was touring in Minneapolis at time.[[1]](https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/20/us/d4vd-case-update-celeste-rivas-hernandez)[[3]](https://variety.com/2026/music/news/d4vd-arrested-death-teen-found-tesla-trunk-1236586320)\n- Investigation challenged by evidence degradation over time; LAPD sifted false online info; grand jury convened November 2025; one entourage member arrested for dodging subpoena.[[2]](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-20/d4vd-murder-charge-slaying-celeste-rivas-hernandez)\n- Prosecutors cite physical, forensic, digital evidence; Burke held without bail, due in court April 20, 2026 afternoon.[[2]](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-20/d4vd-murder-charge-slaying-celeste-rivas-hernandez)\n\n## Details and context\nCeleste Rivas Hernandez, a seventh grader with a history of running away, connected with rising alt-pop singer D4vd (real name David Anthony Burke) online before 2024. Evidence includes a January 2024 Twitch livestream where they joked late into the night, photos of Burke near her Lake Elsinore home in early 2024, her backstage at his June 2024 Fonda Theatre show, and more images from late 2024-early 2025. She last visited his Hollywood Hills rental on April 23, 2025.[[1]](https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/20/us/d4vd-case-update-celeste-rivas-hernandez)\n\nThe Tesla, registered to Burke, sat abandoned streets away until towed; yard workers noticed the smell on September 8, 2025. Time lag complicated forensics—no exact cause of death released yet, though mutilation confirmed. Burke initially cooperated but later stopped; he canceled tour dates after links emerged.[[3]](https://variety.com/2026/music/news/d4vd-arrested-death-teen-found-tesla-trunk-1236586320)[[2]](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-20/d4vd-murder-charge-slaying-celeste-rivas-hernandez)\n\nBurke, Houston-born and TikTok-famous for \"Romantic Homicide,\" had signed with major labels and released albums like \"Withered.\" DA alleges abuse and threats to his career motivated the killing; defense calls charges premature, no indictment yet.[[4]](https://apnews.com/article/d4vd-charges-celeste-rivas-hernandez-a5ae08c1dda921dad1750d3ceda16c47)\n\n## Key quotes\nDA Nathan Hochman: “Celeste, a 14-year-old at that time, went to Mr. Burke’s house in the Hollywood Hills. She was never heard from again.”[[1]](https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/20/us/d4vd-case-update-celeste-rivas-hernandez)[[4]](https://apnews.com/article/d4vd-charges-celeste-rivas-hernandez-a5ae08c1dda921dad1750d3ceda16c47)\n\nDefense attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, Regina Peter: “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.”[[1]](https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/20/us/d4vd-case-update-celeste-rivas-hernandez)\n\nLAPD Chief Jim McDonnell: “The substantial amount of time that passed between her death and the discovery meant that crucial evidence had degraded or disappeared.”[[1]](https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/20/us/d4vd-case-update-celeste-rivas-hernandez)\n\n## Why it matters\nThe case highlights risks for young fans connecting with online celebrities, exposing how digital interactions can lead to real-world tragedy. Fans, music industry followers, and families face a stark example of alleged exploitation, with potential career-ending consequences for Burke if convicted. Watch Burke's arraignment, prosecutorial decisions on death penalty, and defense challenges to evidence as trial develops.[[1]](https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/20/us/d4vd-case-update-celeste-rivas-hernandez)[[4]](https://apnews.com/article/d4vd-charges-celeste-rivas-hernandez-a5ae08c1dda921dad1750d3ceda16c47)\n\n## What changed\nPrior to April 16, 2026, Burke was under grand jury investigation as a suspect but free, touring and promoting music after body discovery. LAPD arrested him that day on murder suspicion at his Hollywood Hills home, holding him without bail; DA filed first-degree murder charges April 20, escalating to potential life or death sentence. Charges announced April 20, 2026, after case presentation.\n\n## FAQ\nQ: What charges does D4vd face in Celeste Rivas Hernandez's death?  \nA: First-degree murder with special circumstances (lying in wait, financial gain, witness killing), lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under 14, continuous sexual acts, and mutilating remains. These carry life without parole or death penalty if convicted. Prosecutors cite physical, forensic, digital evidence linking him to the crime.[[1]](https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/20/us/d4vd-case-update-celeste-rivas-hernandez)[[4]](https://apnews.com/article/d4vd-charges-celeste-rivas-hernandez-a5ae08c1dda921dad1750d3ceda16c47)\n\nQ: When and where was Celeste Rivas Hernandez's body found?  \nA: Her dismembered, decomposed remains were discovered September 8, 2025, in the trunk of D4vd's towed Tesla at a Hollywood tow yard. The car had been abandoned near his Hollywood Hills rental, noticed due to a foul odor. This was a day after her 15th birthday.[[1]](https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/20/us/d4vd-case-update-celeste-rivas-hernandez)[[3]](https://variety.com/2026/music/news/d4vd-arrested-death-teen-found-tesla-trunk-1236586320)\n\nQ: How did Celeste Rivas Hernandez know D4vd?  \nA: They connected online before 2024; evidence shows a January 2024 Twitch livestream together, photos of him near her home early 2024, her backstage at his June 2024 LA show, and more images late 2024-early 2025. She visited his home April 23, 2025, then vanished.[[1]](https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/20/us/d4vd-case-update-celeste-rivas-hernandez)\n\nQ: What do D4vd's lawyers say about the charges?  \nA: They state evidence will prove David Burke did not murder her or cause her death, noting no grand jury indictment or criminal complaint yet. They plan to vigorously defend his innocence. Burke was arrested on suspicion only.[[1]](https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/20/us/d4vd-case-update-celeste-rivas-hernandez)","hashtags":["#music","#crime","#celebrity","#murder","#investigation","#losangeles"],"sources":[{"url":"https://news.google.com/read/CBMickFVX3lxTFAwVzRiYjF6TVRaa01zcmdFc0tKWW5UY0NobHBnTGItS2lIUnhPQ3U1SEpMUm9pUzNYZi1VcEhTWXRRUDBPWDlqTGNRMGRKQU1CRkdhaUlQQ2ZWcGRHcHJneHZfX0Y5enpHN25UZmJuMmhDZw?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en","title":"Original article"},{"url":"https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/20/us/d4vd-case-update-celeste-rivas-hernandez","title":""},{"url":"https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-20/d4vd-murder-charge-slaying-celeste-rivas-hernandez","title":""},{"url":"https://variety.com/2026/music/news/d4vd-arrested-death-teen-found-tesla-trunk-1236586320","title":""},{"url":"https://apnews.com/article/d4vd-charges-celeste-rivas-hernandez-a5ae08c1dda921dad1750d3ceda16c47","title":""}],"viewCount":2,"publishedAt":"2026-04-20T18:10:33.337Z","createdAt":"2026-04-20T18:10:33.337Z","articlePublishedAt":null}