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D4vd, the 21-year-old breakout alt-pop star who went viral with “Romantic Homicide,” has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a 14-year-old girl whose decomposed body was found in his Tesla. The shocking arrest comes 7 months after Celeste Rivas Hernandez was discovered dead in the trunk of his abandoned vehicle in Hollywood.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Arrest Date: April 16, 2026, in Hollywood Hills by LAPD Robbery Homicide Division
- Victim: Celeste Rivas Hernandez, age 14, reported missing from Lake Elsinore in 2024
- Body Found: September 8, 2025, severely decomposed in Tesla trunk at Hollywood impound lot
- Singer’s Age: David Anthony Burke, 21, Houston-born alt-R&B artist on global “Withered” tour
A Global Talent’s Fall From Grace
D4vd rose to mainstream prominence in 2022 when his breakout hit “Romantic Homicide” collected nearly 4 million TikTok followers. The song climbed to No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative chart, launching his career into the stratosphere. He secured deals with Darkroom and Interscope Records, collaborated with superstars like SZA and Kali Uchis, and released albums that cemented his Gen Z appeal.
His indie rock and lo-fi pop blend attracted millions of fans worldwide. Yet beneath the meteoric rise lay a darker narrative that investigators would spend months unraveling, ultimately leading to murder charges.
Singer D4vd arrested on suspicion of teen girl’s murder
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The Gruesome Discovery in Hollywood
In September 2025, LAPD detectives received reports of a foul odor emanating from an impounded 2023 Tesla Model Y sitting in a Hollywood tow yard. What they discovered inside would shock the entertainment world. The decomposed remains of a young girl were found stuffed in a cadaver bag, with investigators noting findings of insects, severe decay, and dismembered body parts.
Court documents revealed that the body was severed at multiple locations, with arms and legs separated from the torso. The Tesla was registered to the singer, and the vehicle had been towed from an abandoned state in the upscale Hollywood Hills neighborhood. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner later identified the remains as Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old seventh grader who had been missing since 2024.
| Case Detail | Information |
| Victim Name | Celeste Rivas Hernandez |
| Victim Age | 14 years old |
| Body Discovery | September 8, 2025, Hollywood impound lot |
| Condition Found | Severely decomposed, dismembered |
The Grand Jury Investigation Revealed
Though the singer was arrested on April 16, 2026, the investigation had been underway for months in secret. In February 2026, Burke’s family inadvertently revealed the grand jury probe’s existence when parents and a brother filed objections to Texas court subpoenas demanding their testimony. The filing exposed that D4vd was the target of an LA County grand jury investigation.
On Monday, April 21, prosecutors will present evidence to the Los Angeles County District Attorney‘s office for charging decisions. Defense attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter issued a statement maintaining his innocence, saying “the actual evidence will show David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez.” However, sources confirmed to ABC News that investigators had gathered enough evidence to prove the death was murder.
“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. There has been no indictment returned by any grand jury and no criminal complaint filed. David has only been detained under suspicion.”
— Defense Attorneys, Burke Legal Team
What Now for the TikTok Sensation?
Burke, pronounced “David,” is currently being held without bail pending the district attorney’s charging decision. His arrest sent shockwaves through the music industry. When Celeste’s body was discovered last September, Burke had been performing worldwide on his “Withered” world tour. Concert promoters subsequently canceled his final North American shows in San Francisco and Los Angeles, along with an appearance at LA’s Grammy Museum and his entire European tour.
Sources confirm that determining cause of death proved challenging due to the body’s advanced state of decomposition. Yet investigators successfully built a case strong enough to justify arrest. His legal team claims his parents “believe in his innocence and support him whole heartedly,” setting the stage for an intense legal battle.
Will Justice Reveal the Full Truth About This Case?
As the legal process unfolds, critical questions remain: How did a rising global music star find himself arrested for murder? What evidence led investigators to charge a performer with millions of devoted fans? And what was the actual relationship between D4vd and Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the Lake Elsinore teen whose tragic death shocked her family and devastated her brother Matthew?
The coming months will determine whether prosecutors can prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, whether a grand jury will issue a formal indictment, and ultimately, whether justice will be served for the young girl found abandoned in a Hollywood Hills Tesla.
Sources
- CNN – Breaking news reporting on D4vd arrest with court documents and investigator statements
- The Guardian – In-depth coverage of the investigation, grand jury probe, and lack of indictment
- ABC7 Los Angeles – Exclusive details on body discovery, LAPD arrest operation, and evidence gathering
