Musician D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, has been formally charged with murder, sexual abuse of a child, and mutilation of human remains in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced the charges on April 20, 2026, alleging the killing occurred on April 23, 2025. Rivas Hernandez's body was discovered nearly five months later on September 8, 2025, in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke—just one day after what would have been her 15th birthday.
"Celeste was just a child, under 14 years old, when David Burke allegedly engaged in repeated lewd and lascivious sexual relations with her," Hochman stated in a press release. "But Burke's actions did not allegedly stop there. When she threatened to expose his criminal conduct and devastate his musical career, Burke allegedly murdered her, cut up her body and stuffed her body in two bags that were placed in the front trunk of his car."
The criminal complaint includes special circumstance allegations of murder of a witness, murder for financial gain, and lying in wait. Prosecutors also allege Burke "personally used a deadly and dangerous weapon, a sharp instrument, to commit the crime."
If convicted as charged, the 21-year-old singer faces life in state prison without the possibility of parole. The District Attorney's office noted that a decision on whether to seek the death penalty will be made at a later date.
Burke's legal team has already mounted a vigorous defense. In a statement issued shortly after the charges were announced, attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter declared, "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. We will vigorously defend David's innocence."
The case came to light when police responded to reports of a foul odor coming from a vehicle in a Hollywood tow yard last September. The Tesla had been reported abandoned in the Hollywood Hills area, and authorities discovered Rivas Hernandez's remains inside.
District Attorney Hochman concluded his statement with a message to the victim's family: "This horrific and gruesome murder committed by the charged sexual predator is shocking and appalling. To Celeste's loved ones, we will get the justice you seek and deserve."