Singer D4vd charged with teen's murder in Tesla trunk case

Source: news.google.com

TL;DR

The story at a glance

Los 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)

Key points

Details and context

Celeste 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)

The 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)

Burke, 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)

Key quotes

DA 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)

Defense 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)

LAPD 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)

Why it matters

The 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)

What changed

Prior 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.

FAQ

Q: What charges does D4vd face in Celeste Rivas Hernandez's death?

A: 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)

Q: When and where was Celeste Rivas Hernandez's body found?

A: 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)

Q: How did Celeste Rivas Hernandez know D4vd?

A: 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)

Q: What do D4vd's lawyers say about the charges?

A: 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)