Please be advised that this story contains disturbing content, including depictions of child sexual abuse and a detailed account of a suspected murder.
D4vd has been charged for the murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
The singer, arrested last week in connection with the death of a 14-year-old, has now been formally charged with murder, ongoing sexual abuse of a child, and illegally disfiguring a human body, according to a statement released by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on April 20.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman revealed further details about the death of Rivas Hernandez, stating it happened on April 23, 2024 – nearly five months before her body was found on September 8th. The body was discovered in a Tesla registered to David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, just a day after Rivas Hernandez’s 15th birthday.
According to a press release, David Burke allegedly had inappropriate sexual contact with Celeste when she was a child under 14 years old. When Celeste threatened to reveal his crimes and harm his music career, Burke allegedly killed her, dismembered her body, and put the remains in two bags in his car’s trunk.
He described the murder committed by the accused sex offender as shocking and deeply disturbing. He assured Celeste’s family that they would receive the justice they deserve.
As a longtime follower of D4vd, I was shocked to hear the details of the charges against him. The District Attorney’s complaint isn’t just about murder; it alleges really serious circumstances – they claim he intentionally killed a witness, did it for money, and even planned an ambush. What’s even more disturbing is the claim that he personally used a dangerous weapon – specifically, a sharp object – during the crime. It’s just… a lot to process.
Prosecutors say D4vd invited Rivas Hernandez to his Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025, and that this was the last time anyone saw her alive.
If found guilty, D4vd could spend the rest of his life in prison with no chance of being released. While the death penalty isn’t currently being pursued, prosecutors say they may consider it later.
TopMob News has reached out to D4vd’s attorneys for comment on the charges, but has not heard back.
Immediately following his arrest on April 16th, the lawyers for the singer, known as “Romantic Homicide,” stated that he was not involved in the death of Rivas Hernandez.
In a statement to People magazine on April 17th, David Burke’s lawyers – Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter – stated clearly that the evidence will demonstrate Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and was not responsible for her death.
They added, “ We will vigorously defend David’s innocence.”
Last September, police discovered the body of Rivas Hernandez in the trunk of a Tesla. They had been called to investigate a bad smell coming from the vehicle, which was at a Hollywood tow yard. The car had previously been reported abandoned in the Hollywood Hills.
For more about D4vd and the murder of Rivas Hernandez, keep reading.
D4vd, whose full name is David Anthony Burke, was born in Queens, New York, and later moved to Houston, Texas, at the age of 13.
As someone who’s seen a lot of creators come up, I’ve noticed a common thread: many start by building an audience online. That’s exactly how D4vd got his start, streaming games like Fortnite and hoping to catch some attention on YouTube. But he hit a snag in 2021 – the music he was using in his videos kept getting flagged for copyright. That’s when he turned to his mom for help – a relatable moment for any aspiring content creator!
He explained to Benny Blanco in an interview with Hero magazine in September 2024 that he felt desperate enough to complain to his mother. He told her he was struggling financially and didn’t know what to do. She simply told him to make his own music and left him alone. That’s when he realized he could actually try doing that.
D4vd, who had never made music beyond casual singing, started experimenting with a music-making app on his phone. His songs quickly gained popularity online, and after several went viral on TikTok, his music career began to flourish.
He finally put out his first album, Withered, in April 2025, and quickly followed it up with his first tour around the world.
On September 8th, police were sent to a Hollywood tow yard after reports of a bad smell coming from a car, according to NBC News sources.
Los Angeles police discovered human remains inside a Tesla’s front trunk. The car was registered to David Anthony Burke, who performs as the artist D4vd, and was listed under his name in Hempstead, Texas.
According to police, the car was towed to the impound lot because it was left abandoned in the Hollywood Hills.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed on September 16th that remains found in a Tesla belonged to Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who had been missing since April 5, 2024. She was 13 years old when she disappeared and authorities believe she was 14 at the time of her death.
Records from the Medical Examiner’s Office, obtained by TopMob News on September 17th, show that the cause of death is still under investigation. While her body was found on September 8th, officials believe it had been in the car for a significant amount of time beforehand and was badly decomposed.
After learning about the death of Rivas Hernandez, a representative for D4vd told NBC News that the singer has been notified and is working with law enforcement while continuing his tour.
Since then, D4vd canceled the remainder of his U.S. dates.
On April 16, 2026, the Los Angeles Police Department announced the arrest of D4vd in connection with the murder of Rivas Hernandez.
Los Angeles police have arrested 21-year-old David Burke in connection with the murder of Celeste Rivas, according to a statement released on X. Burke is currently being held without the possibility of bail.
D4vd faces charges of murder, continuously sexually abusing a child under 14, and illegally dismembering a human body, according to a statement released by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on April 20th.
According to District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman, David Burke is accused of repeatedly sexually abusing Celeste when she was a child, under the age of 14. When Celeste reportedly threatened to reveal his crimes and ruin his music career, Burke allegedly murdered her, dismembered her body, and kept the remains in two bags in his car’s trunk for over four months. The remains were discovered at a tow yard on September 8, 2025. Prosecutors describe the murder as horrific and promise Celeste’s family that they will pursue justice.
The charges against D4vd include aggravated murder – specifically, killing a witness, committing murder for financial gain, and planning the crime in advance. Prosecutors also allege he used a dangerous weapon, a sharp object, during the commission of the crime.
TopMob News has reached out to D4vd’s attorneys for comment on the charges, but has not heard back.
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2026-04-21 00:47