Singer D4vd Arrested in Killing of 14-Year-Old Celeste Rivas Hernandez

The 21-year-old alt-pop artist is being held without bail as authorities investigate the discovery of the teen's decomposed body in his Tesla.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 3:40pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single severed human finger, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying the stark, gritty nature of the crime scene evidence.The grim discovery of dismembered remains in the singer's vehicle has sparked a high-stakes investigation into a tragic and mysterious death.Lake Elsinore Today

Los Angeles police have arrested 21-year-old singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Burke, on suspicion of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The teen's decomposed body was found seven months ago in an apparently abandoned Tesla registered to the musician. D4vd's lawyers have declared his innocence, stating the evidence will show he did not kill Rivas Hernandez.

Why it matters

The high-profile arrest of a rising young musician in connection with the death of a teenage girl has shocked the music industry and the local community. The case has raised questions about the singer's potential involvement and the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the victim's body in his vehicle.

The details

Police said investigators will present their case to prosecutors on Monday. D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, is being held in jail without bail. His defense attorneys have stated that the evidence will show Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and was not the cause of her death. The 14-year-old girl's decomposed body was found in September 2025, a day after her 15th birthday, in a Tesla registered to the singer that had been towed from the Hollywood Hills.

  • Celeste Rivas Hernandez was reported missing by her family in 2024 from her hometown of Lake Elsinore, California.
  • Her decomposed body was found on September 8, 2025, a day after what would have been her 15th birthday.
  • D4vd was arrested by Los Angeles police on suspicion of murder on April 17, 2026.

The players

D4vd

The 21-year-old alt-pop singer, whose legal name is David Burke, has been arrested on suspicion of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

Celeste Rivas Hernandez

The 14-year-old girl whose decomposed body was found in a Tesla registered to D4vd in September 2025, a day after her 15th birthday.

Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter

The defense attorneys representing D4vd, who have declared his innocence and stated the evidence will show he did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter, Defense Attorneys

What’s next

Prosecutors at the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office will review the case on Monday to determine if there is enough evidence to file charges against D4vd.

The takeaway

This high-profile arrest has raised serious questions about the circumstances surrounding the death of a teenage girl and the potential involvement of a rising young musician. The case will likely continue to garner significant public attention as the investigation progresses and the legal process unfolds.