LOS ANGELES (AP) — Singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Burke, was arrested on suspicion of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose decomposed remains were discovered in his Tesla seven months prior. Authorities confirmed the arrest while Burke's legal team declared his innocence.
The Los Angeles Police Department announced the arrest of the Houston-born alt-pop star, stating that homicide detectives would present their case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. His defense attorneys emphasized that Burke was only detained under suspicion, with no formal charges filed yet against him.
Burke's defense team, comprising attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter, claimed that the evidence would demonstrate that Burke was not involved in Rivas Hernandez's death. They reiterated, “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.”
Rivas Hernandez’s body was discovered on September 8, in a Tesla that had been abandoned in Hollywood Hills, just a day after she would have turned 15. She had been reported missing by her family from Lake Elsinore in 2024. Her death marks a tragic incident that has drawn significant media attention.
The investigation has revealed that Burke's Tesla was registered to his name, and investigators found the remains in a cadaver bag inside the vehicle, raising numerous questions about the circumstances surrounding Rivas Hernandez’s death.
D4vd gained significant recognition for his music, especially after his single "Romantic Homicide" went viral on TikTok in 2022. He had recently embarked on a concert tour in support of his debut album, “Withered,” which was subsequently canceled amidst the ongoing investigation.
