Singer D4vd Arrested for Murder of Teenager Celeste Rivas
Singer D4vd arrested in teen’s death; defense denies charges as investigation continues into body found in his vehicle.
LOS ANGELES, April 17, 2026
Singer D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, has been arrested on suspicion of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose decomposed body was found in his Tesla in September. Police said on Thursday they had arrested Burke "for the murder of Celeste Rivas". The singer's representatives have not responded to multiple requests for comment on the case, and it is unclear what his defense will be.
The Discovery of the Body
The body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found in a Tesla registered to D4vd's address in Texas, which had been towed from the Hollywood Hills. The county's medical examiner said the body was "severely decomposed" and deferred on making a ruling on how she died pending the death investigation. The girl might have been dead "for several weeks" before the discovery of her body, officials said. This delay in discovering the body has made it challenging for investigators to determine the cause of death, and the medical examiner's office is still working to uncover the circumstances surrounding her death.
The Investigation and Arrest
The investigation into the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez has been ongoing since the discovery of her body, and D4vd has been a target of a grand jury investigation in Los Angeles. Defense attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter responded in an email: “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.” The defense team said this to signal that they are prepared to vigorously defend D4vd's innocence and to counter any potential evidence presented by the prosecution.
The Evidence Against D4vd
Police investigators searching the Tesla in a tow yard found a cadaver bag “covered with insects and a strong odor of decay,” court documents said, and “detectives partially unzipped the bag and observed a decomposed head and torso.” Investigators from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office removed the bag and “discovered the arms and legs had been severed from the body,” according to court documents. The discovery of the body in this condition has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding Celeste Rivas Hernandez's death, and investigators are working to piece together the events leading up to her murder.
The Next Steps in the Case
The defense lawyers added, “There has been no indictment returned by any grand jury in this case and no criminal complaint filed. David has only been detained under suspicion. We will vigorously defend David’s innocence.” The defense team said this to emphasize that the investigation is still ongoing and that D4vd has not been formally charged with a crime, and to reassure the public that they will mount a strong defense. The case will be presented to the District Attorney's Office on Monday, and the office will review the evidence to determine whether to file charges against D4vd.