Rising Artist D4vd Arrested on Suspicion of Murdering Teen Girl

The 21-year-old musician, whose real name is David Burke, is accused of killing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 5:08pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a dismembered human bone, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying a stark, gritty, and investigative aesthetic.The grim physical evidence at the center of a high-profile murder investigation raises troubling questions about the dark side of fame.Queens Today

D4vd, a rising musical artist who was on the verge of wider stardom, was arrested on Thursday, April 16, on suspicion of the murder of a teenage girl he was allegedly seeing. The 14-year-old victim, Celeste Rivas Hernandez, was found dead inside a Tesla registered to Burke in September 2025. Authorities have yet to provide full details on what led to the arrest, but Burke's attorneys have proclaimed his innocence and stated that the evidence will show he did not commit the murder.

Why it matters

The arrest of a promising young musician on suspicion of murder has shocked the music industry and raised questions about the pressures and temptations that can come with sudden fame, especially for those still in their teens. The case also highlights the ongoing challenges of investigating missing persons cases and the need for greater resources and coordination between law enforcement agencies.

The details

According to reports, D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, was born in Queens, New York, and raised in Houston, Texas. The 21-year-old musician gained fame in 2022 for his viral hit 'Romantic Homicide,' which some fans saw as a chilling foreshadowing of the events to come. Burke was signed to Interscope Records, and his music had been gaining popularity on TikTok. However, his rise to fame was overshadowed by the discovery of Celeste Rivas Hernandez's body inside a Tesla registered to Burke in September 2025, just a day after what would have been her 15th birthday. The teen's body was found completely dismembered and in a bag, according to the medical examiner's initial reports. Burke has been arrested and is currently being held without bail, although the location of his detention has not been made public.

  • On September 2025, Celeste Rivas Hernandez's body was found inside a Tesla registered to David Burke.
  • In February 2026, members of Burke's family filed objections to subpoenas to testify in a Texas court, leading to the investigation being made public.
  • On April 16, 2026, David Burke, also known as D4vd, was arrested on suspicion of Celeste Rivas Hernandez's murder.

The players

D4vd

A 21-year-old rising musical artist, whose real name is David Burke. He was born in Queens, New York, and raised in Houston, Texas.

Celeste Rivas Hernandez

A 14-year-old girl whose body was found inside a Tesla registered to David Burke in September 2025.

Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter

Attorneys representing David Burke, who have proclaimed his innocence and stated that the evidence will show he did not commit the murder.

Los Angeles Police Department

The law enforcement agency that arrested David Burke on suspicion of Celeste Rivas Hernandez's murder.

Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office

The office that will be presented with the case against David Burke on April 20, 2026.

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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, Attorneys for David Burke

“There has been no indictment returned by any grand jury in this case and no criminal complaint filed. David has only been detained under suspicion. We will vigorously defend David's innocence.”

— Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter, Attorneys for David Burke

What’s next

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office will review the case against David Burke on April 20, 2026, and decide whether to file charges.

The takeaway

This high-profile case involving a rising young musician accused of a heinous crime has shocked the music industry and the public, raising questions about the pressures and temptations that can come with sudden fame, especially for those still in their teens. The investigation and legal proceedings will be closely watched as they unfold.