Charges Filed Against Musician D4vd in Teen's Death
US musician D4vd, legally named David Anthony Burke, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who disappeared last year, according to officials.
Burke, 21, faces multiple charges including murder for "financial gain" and murder of a witness to an investigation, as stated by the district attorney. The decomposed remains of Rivas Hernandez were discovered in September inside a Tesla registered to Burke's Texas address.
Following Burke's arrest last week, his attorneys issued a statement asserting:
"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."
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office confirmed that D4vd is scheduled for arraignment on Monday in downtown Los Angeles but declined to comment on grand jury investigations.
Details from the District Attorney's Press Conference
During a press conference on Monday, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman provided further details. He said that on 23 April 2025, Rivas Hernandez went to Burke's residence in the Hollywood Hills and was never heard from again.
Her dismembered and decomposed remains were found on 8 September 2025, marking the beginning of the investigation, inside the trunk of a car registered to Burke.
"A parent's nightmare is a situation where your daughter goes out one night and never comes back," Hochman said.
Hochman announced three sets of charges against Burke:
- First-degree murder with special circumstances of "lying in wait".
- An additional special circumstance of alleged murder for "financial gain," with Hochman accusing Burke of killing Rivas Hernandez to protect his lucrative musical career, which she was allegedly threatening on the night she disappeared.
- Murder of a witness to an investigation, with evidence indicating that Rivas Hernandez was a witness in an inquiry concerning sexual acts committed by Burke.
Hochman also mentioned that the charges involve numerous sexual acts with a minor and the mutilation of a body.
The district attorney's office may eventually seek the death penalty in this case.
Law Enforcement Response and Investigation Challenges
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell addressed criticism regarding the police handling of the case and their decision not to release details since the discovery of the body in a Hollywood tow yard seven months ago.
Rivas Hernandez's family has not made any public statements about the case.
"I want to be clear about something. My duty is not to fuel speculation. It's to deliver justice, and that requires patience and discipline on everybody's part," McDonnell said.
He emphasized that the investigation was focused solely on securing justice for Celeste Rivas and her loved ones, and that care was taken to avoid jeopardizing the case.
McDonnell added that the condition of the remains delayed determination of the cause of death. Due to the substantial time elapsed between her death and discovery, some evidence had degraded or disappeared.
When asked by the BBC about the delay in making an arrest, Hochman explained the complexities involved in interviewing multiple individuals, some cooperative and others not, and reviewing all evidence.
"It's the type of case that you want to get maximum information," he said, urging anyone with information to come forward.
Current Status and Background of the Musician
Burke remains in custody without bail following his arrest on Thursday. The BBC has reached out to his attorneys for comment.
Originating from Houston, Texas, Burke is best known for moody, indie-pop songs such as "Here With Me" and "Romantic Homicide." He initially gained recognition as a teenager by posting videos of himself playing the video game Fortnite.
After teaching himself music production, he released his debut EP, Petals To Thorns, in 2023. That same year, he was named to Variety's Young Hollywood list and opened for SZA on her SOS tour.
He released his debut album in April 2025, amassing 22 million monthly listeners on Spotify and nearly four million followers on TikTok.
Discovery of Remains and Investigation Progress
On 8 September 2025, investigators found the decomposed head and torso of the 14-year-old girl in a cadaver bag located in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke's Texas address, according to court documents.
Upon removing the bag, authorities discovered severed arms and legs inside a black bag, as detailed in the documents.
At the time of the discovery, D4vd was on tour. He subsequently cancelled his world tour and withdrew from public view.
In court documents made public in February, Burke was identified as the "target" of a grand jury investigation into the death. The future course of the grand jury investigation remains unclear.
