The family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez is speaking out for the first time following the arrest of D4vd, who is suspected in her murder.
Two days after police arrested singer David Anthony Burke, known as “Romantic Homicide,” the father of the other person involved, Jesus Rivas, spoke publicly about the situation.
The family’s patriarch expressed relief, stating “Justice for Celeste,” according to his lawyer, Patrick Steinfeld, in a statement to TMZ on April 18.
21-year-old D4vd is being held by the Los Angeles Police Department without the possibility of bail, according to records from TopMob News. He’s scheduled to appear in court for the first time on April 20th.
Before the court hearing, D4vd’s lawyers stated that their client did not murder Rivas Hernandez. Hernandez’s body was discovered in the front trunk of a Tesla owned by the musician in early September.
In a statement to People 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.
Investigators haven’t yet determined the official cause of Rivas Hernandez’s death. A medical examiner’s report obtained by TopMob News indicates that, because her body was severely decomposed, authorities couldn’t pinpoint the time of her death.
LAPD Captain Scot Williams stated that after D4vd’s arrest, it was discovered the teenager, who had been reported missing from Lake Elsinore (about 70 miles from Los Angeles) in April 2024, had been deceased for several weeks before her remains were found the day after what would have been her 15th birthday.
Rivas Hernandez was buried in October at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Rowland Heights, California. A GoFundMe page created to help with funeral expenses remembered her as a loving daughter, sister, cousin, and friend.
The fundraiser’s description read, “Her family is heartbroken and devastated by this tragic loss.”
For more about D4vd and the ongoing investigation into Rivas Hernandez’s murder, read on.
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.
D4vd started his career by streaming games like Fortnite on YouTube, hoping to become popular. In 2021, he faced issues with copyrighted music in his videos, so he asked his mom for help.
He described a conversation with his mother, telling Benny Blanco for Hero magazine in September 2024 that he’d basically been complaining to her about not making any money. He said she was on the phone and told him to just create his own music and leave her alone. That’s when it hit him – he realized he could actually do that.
D4vd, who hadn’t had any formal musical training beyond casual singing, began creating music using an app on his phone. His songs quickly gained popularity online, and after several went viral on TikTok, his music career started to flourish.
He finally put out his first album, Withered, in April 2025, and quickly began 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.
As a lifestyle expert, I’m deeply saddened to share some truly disturbing news. Authorities recently discovered human remains inside a Tesla registered to David Anthony Burke, who many of you know as the artist D4vd. The remains were found carefully concealed in the vehicle’s front trunk, and the car was traced back to an address in Hempstead, Texas. It’s a heartbreaking situation, and we’re sending our thoughts to everyone affected.
According to police, the car was taken to the impound lot after being 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.
According to records from the Medical Examiner’s Office obtained by TopMob News on September 17th, a final cause of death hadn’t been determined. While she was found on September 8th, officials believe her body had been in the car for a significant amount of time beforehand and was extremely 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 police 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.
I just learned some very sad news. The LAPD has arrested 21-year-old David Burke in connection with the murder of Celeste Rivas. A spokesperson shared the update on social media, and Burke is currently being held without the possibility of bail. It’s a truly heartbreaking situation, and my thoughts are with Celeste’s family and friends.
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2026-04-19 03:17