LOS ANGELES — David Burke, the 21-year-old musician known globally as D4vd, has been arrested on suspicion of murder. The arrest follows a months-long investigation into the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Her remains were discovered in the trunk of a Tesla registered to the singer last September.
Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division took Burke into custody on Thursday, April 16, 2026. According to an official statement from the LAPD, the singer is currently being held without bail. Prosecutors are expected to review the case on Monday to determine formal charges.
The case began on September 8, 2025, when workers at a Hollywood impound lot noticed a “foul odor” coming from a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The vehicle had been towed from a residential street in the Hollywood Hills after appearing abandoned.
Upon searching the car, investigators made a harrowing discovery in the front storage compartment (the “frunk”). Court documents obtained by the Associated Press describe a cadaver bag containing the “severely decomposed” remains of a young girl.
The victim was later identified as Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a seventh-grader from Lake Elsinore, California. She had been reported missing by her family in April 2024. At the time of the discovery, she would have just turned 15 years old.
Key Details of the Investigation
- The Vehicle: The 2023 Tesla Model Y was registered to David Burke at a Texas address.
- The Victim: Celeste Rivas Hernandez, 14, had been missing for over a year.
- The Grand Jury: Burke had been the secret target of a grand jury investigation since early 2026.
- Tour Cancellations: Shortly after the body was found, D4vd abruptly canceled his “Withered” world tour dates in the U.S. and Europe.
The Secret Grand Jury and the Arrest
For months, the LAPD remained tight-lipped about whether the “Romantic Homicide” singer was a suspect. However, the investigation’s focus became public in February 2026. Burke’s parents and brother filed a legal objection in a Texas court, attempting to block subpoenas that required them to testify.
These court filings revealed that the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office was pursuing a murder investigation. On Thursday, police finally moved to arrest the Houston-born artist.
“The case will be presented to the District Attorney’s office on Monday for filing consideration,” the LAPD shared on X (formerly Twitter). Until then, Burke remains in custody in Los Angeles.
Who is D4vd?
David Burke rose to fame as a teenager, recording songs in his sister’s closet using his iPhone. His stage name, D4vd (pronounced “David”), became a staple of Gen Z playlists.
He is best known for:
- “Romantic Homicide”: A viral TikTok hit with over 1 billion streams on Spotify.
- “Here With Me”: A lo-fi pop ballad that cemented his status as a rising star in indie-R&B.
- Major Label Success: He signed with Darkroom/Interscope Records, the same label home as Billie Eilish.
The dark irony of his most famous song title, “Romantic Homicide,” has not been lost on fans. Since the news broke, social media has been flooded with a mix of shock and disbelief from his millions of followers.
While the music world focuses on the downfall of a star, the community of Lake Elsinore is focused on justice for a child. Celeste Rivas Hernandez was described by neighbors as a “sweet girl” who vanished without a trace in 2024.
According to a report by the Los Angeles Times, the teen had allegedly run away from home, but the circumstances of how she came to be in Burke’s vehicle remain unclear. Investigators are currently looking into digital evidence, including resurfaced Discord chats, to determine the nature of the relationship between the singer and the young girl.
What Happens Next?
The legal process is just beginning for the 21-year-old singer. If charged with murder, Burke faces a potential sentence of life in prison.
The Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office currently has a “security hold” on the case. This means the specific cause of death and full autopsy results cannot be released to the public yet. This is a common tactic used by police to ensure that only the perpetrator knows certain details of the crime.
“It was done so that our investigators get the information before the media,” said LAPD Captain Mike Bland. “We must maintain the integrity of this investigation for the sake of the victim.”
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