Popular Singer D4vd Arrested for Teen's Murder

Celeste Rivas Hernandez's remains found in D4vd's Tesla days after his Chicago concert

Apr. 17, 2026 at 1:20am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a worn, scuffed car key fob against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the gritty investigation into a high-profile crime.The investigation into a rising young music star's alleged involvement in a teen's murder has exposed the darker side of fame.Chicago Today

The popular 21-year-old singer-songwriter known as D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, has been arrested in connection with the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Celeste's decomposed remains were discovered in the front trunk of D4vd's abandoned Tesla two days after he performed at Chicago's Salt Shed venue.

Why it matters

This high-profile case involving a rising young music star accused of a violent crime has shocked fans and raised questions about the darker side of fame and the challenges of keeping young artists safe from potential predators.

The details

According to law enforcement sources, D4vd was identified as a suspect in November 2025 after Celeste's remains were found in September of that year inside the front storage area of his Tesla, which had been impounded after being left parked for an extended period in a Hollywood Hills neighborhood near a rental property where Burke had been living. Celeste, who disappeared in 2024 at age 13 from the Lake Elsinore area, was identified through forensics. Her death likely occurred in the spring of 2025, police said.

  • D4vd performed at Chicago's Salt Shed on Saturday, September 6, 2025.
  • Celeste Rivas Hernandez's decomposed remains were found two days later, on September 8, 2025.
  • Celeste would have turned 15 years old the day before her body was discovered.

The players

D4vd

The 21-year-old singer-songwriter, whose real name is David Burke, is a popular TikTok star who has been arrested in connection with the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

Celeste Rivas Hernandez

The 14-year-old girl from the Lake Elsinore area whose decomposed remains were found in the front trunk of D4vd's abandoned Tesla two days after the singer's Chicago concert.

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What they’re saying

“Celeste, who disappeared in the Lake Elsinore area in 2024, was identified through forensics. She was last seen April 5, 2024, in the western Riverside County community.”

— Law Enforcement Source

“Celeste's remains were not intact. They were found a day after what would have been Celeste's 15th birthday.”

— Law Enforcement Source

What’s next

D4vd is expected to appear in court in the coming days as prosecutors determine whether to file formal charges in the case.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the risks young artists can face, especially those with large online followings, and the importance of thorough background checks and safeguards to protect vulnerable fans and minors from potential predators in the entertainment industry.