CONTENT WARNING: The following article discusses the death of a teenage girl
D4vd has now been formally charged with murder and multiple related offences, pleading not guilty as the so-called body-in-the-trunk case continues to unfold in Los Angeles.
The 21-year-old artist – real name David Burke – was arraigned this week after prosecutors charged him with first-degree murder, alongside additional charges including lewd acts involving a minor and mutilation of a body. The charges also include special circumstances such as alleged financial motive, lying in wait, and the killing of a potential witness – factors that could make the case eligible for the death penalty, though authorities have not confirmed whether they will pursue it.
It’s also important to note that, while capital punishment is still legal in the US state of California – and the state is home to the country’s largest death row population – current Governor Gavin Newsom implemented a moratorium on executions in 2019, with the last actual execution occurring in 2006.
D4vd’s charges relate to the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who was reported missing in 2024. Authorities allege her body was discovered in September 2025 inside a vehicle registered to Burke after it had been towed from the Hollywood Hills.
At this stage, key details remain tightly restricted. A court order is still in place limiting the release of autopsy findings, and investigators have not publicly confirmed a cause of death. Much of the case had previously been sealed, only coming to light earlier this year through legal challenges involving subpoenas issued to Burke’s family.
Burke’s legal team has strongly denied the allegations, stating: “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,” adding they intend to “vigorously” fight the charges.
The case has sent shockwaves well beyond the music world, given Burke’s rapid rise in recent years following the viral success of tracks like Romantic Homicide. In the wake of the investigation becoming public, the artist was booted from Australia’s Spilt Milk lineup and axed his 2025 Aussie tour dates and other live dates across the globe.
As proceedings move forward, the focus now shifts to the legal process – with the outcome of the charges set to determine what happens next in a case that continues to develop.
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
Singer D4vd Arrested On Suspicion Of Murder In Death Of Missing Teen
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
