CONTENT WARNING: The following article discusses the death of a teenage girl
This is a heavy and developing case. Singer D4vd (real name David Anthony Burke) has been arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
According to police, Burke was taken into custody on Thursday afternoon and is currently being held without bail. He has not been formally charged at this stage, with the case set to be presented to the L.A. County District Attorney’s office for consideration. His legal team has strongly denied the allegations, stating that evidence will show he was not responsible for the teenager’s death.
Hernandez had been reported missing from California’s Inland Empire in 2024. Her body was later discovered in September 2025, decomposing inside a Tesla registered to Burke, after the vehicle was impounded and investigators responded to reports of a strong odour. Authorities say the body had been there for weeks prior to its discovery.
Law enforcement sources have alleged to the LA Times that Celeste allegedly met D4vd on social media and appeared to reside at a rental home with the singer after running away from home.
Investigators have been examining the case for several months, with search warrants executed at Burke’s former residence and a grand jury probe underway since late 2025. Reports indicate the vehicle had been left in a Hollywood Hills neighbourhood before being towed.
Law enforcement sources have also suggested Hernandez may have had contact with Burke prior to her disappearance, though details remain under investigation.
The case has drawn significant attention given Burke’s rising profile in music. The 21-year-old artist had recently released his debut album and was in the middle of a North American tour last year before it was cancelled amid the investigation.
He was also booted from Australia’s Spilt Milk lineup and axed his 2025 Aussie tour dates.
At this stage, authorities have not publicly outlined the specific evidence leading to the arrest, and the cause of death has not been disclosed.
“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,” D4vd’s attorneys said in a joint statement.
This story is ongoing.
If you need assistance, 1800 RESPECT – the Australian National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service — can be reached on 1800 737 732.
Further Reading
D4vd Scrubs Australian Tour Dates as Teen’s Cause of Death “Deferred” by Coroner
d4vd Removed From Spilt Milk 2025 Lineup Amidst Body-In-The-Trunk Investigation
Ex-Turnstile Guitarist Charged With Attempted Murder Of Frontman Brendan Yates’ Dad
