Singer D4vd Arrested on Suspicion of Killing Girl, 14

Defense attorneys declare singer's innocence as investigation continues.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:30pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a car part or personal item related to the D4vd murder investigation, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.As the investigation into D4vd's alleged involvement in the murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez continues, forensic evidence takes center stage.Lake Elsinore Today

Singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Burke, has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a 14-year-old girl whose decomposed body was found seven months ago in his apparently abandoned Tesla. Authorities say they will present the case to prosecutors on Monday, but Burke's defense attorneys have stated that the evidence will show he did not kill the victim, Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

Why it matters

This high-profile case involving a rising music star has garnered significant public attention and raises questions about the investigation process, the presumption of innocence, and the challenges of prosecuting cold cases with limited evidence.

The details

Police say the 14-year-old victim, Celeste Rivas Hernandez, was a 13-year-old seventh grader when she went missing from her hometown of Lake Elsinore, California in 2024. Her decomposed body was found in September 2025 in a Tesla registered to the singer, which had been sitting abandoned in the Hollywood Hills. D4vd was on tour at the time the body was discovered.

  • Celeste Rivas Hernandez went missing in 2024.
  • Her body was found on September 8, 2025, a day after what would have been her 15th birthday.
  • D4vd was arrested on suspicion of murder on April 17, 2026.

The players

D4vd

A 21-year-old Houston-born alt-pop singer whose legal name is David Burke.

Celeste Rivas Hernandez

A 14-year-old girl whose decomposed body was found in D4vd's abandoned Tesla in 2025.

Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter

Defense attorneys for D4vd who have declared his innocence.

Los Angeles Police Department

The law enforcement agency that arrested D4vd and is investigating the case.

Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office

The prosecutorial agency that will review the case to determine if there is enough evidence to file charges against D4vd.

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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 for D4vd

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 criminal charges against D4vd.

The takeaway

This high-profile case involving a rising music star has raised significant public interest and concerns about the presumption of innocence, the challenges of cold case investigations, and the need for thorough and transparent law enforcement procedures.