D4vd Faces Murder Charges in Disturbing Case of Teen Girl's Death
Alt-pop singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Burke, has been formally charged with sexually abusing, murdering, and mutilating the body of a 14-year-old girl. The decomposed remains of Celeste Rivas Hernandez were discovered in his apparently abandoned Tesla seven months ago, according to Los Angeles County prosecutors. The charges, filed on Monday, allege a timeline of events stretching back to 2023, just a year after Burke's first single charted on the Billboard Hot 100. His defense attorney entered a not guilty plea during an arraignment on Monday afternoon.
Timeline of Events Leading to the Charges
2022: Rise to Fame – Burke, initially a content creator, gained viral fame on TikTok with his song "Romantic Homicide," which peaked at No. 4 on Billboard's Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. He subsequently signed with Darkroom and Interscope Records.
September 7, 2023: Alleged Abuse Begins – Prosecutors claim Burke started the continuous sexual abuse of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who had just turned 13. Authorities described her as a runaway, and court documents indicate she lived with Burke in Los Angeles.
April 5, 2024: Missing Person Report – Rivas Hernandez's family reported her missing from Lake Elsinore, about 70 miles southeast of Los Angeles, for the final time after several previous reports.
April 11, 2025: Coachella Performance – Burke made his Coachella debut, going viral again after face-planting during a failed backflip. In an interview, he discussed using fan feedback to refine his music.
April 23, 2025: Last Known Alive – Charging documents allege Burke killed Rivas Hernandez "on or about" this date, with prosecutors stating he did so because she threatened his career.
April 25, 2025: Debut Album Release – Burke released his first album, "Withered," featuring an alter ego character called "IT4MI," inspired by the Japanese word for pain, often depicted in bloody imagery.
May 5, 2025: Mutilation Allegations – Prosecutors charge Burke with unlawful mutilation of human remains, claiming Rivas Hernandez's arms and legs were severed around this time.
August 5, 2025: Tour Launch – Burke began his "Withered" tour in Del Mar, California, and later released a Fortnite anthem, echoing his early music origins.
September 8, 2025: Body Discovered – One day after her 15th birthday, Rivas Hernandez's badly decomposed remains were found in body bags inside the trunk of Burke's Tesla, towed from the Hollywood Hills. Police found her head and torso in one bag and her limbs in another.
September 19, 2025: Tour Cancelled – The remaining tour dates were canceled, and The Associated Press confirmed Burke was dropped by Interscope Records in 2025.
October 6, 2025: Funeral Service – Rivas Hernandez's family held a funeral at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Rowland Heights, California.
November 24, 2025: Coroner's Report Blocked – Police secured a court order to place a security hold on the coroner's report, preventing release of details like cause of death.
February 2026: Grand Jury Probe Revealed – Court filings in Texas revealed Burke was the target of a secret grand jury investigation, with documents linking the Tesla to his family and citing murder charges.
April 16, 2026: Arrest – Burke was arrested on suspicion of murder and held without bail, with the LAPD announcing the arrest on social media.
April 20, 2026: Formal Charges – Burke was charged with murder, lewd acts with a minor, and mutilation. Prosecutors allege he killed Rivas Hernandez to prevent exposure of his crimes and for financial gain, with aggravating factors including lying in wait.
Conclusion
This case highlights a tragic intersection of rising fame and alleged criminality, with ongoing legal proceedings set to unfold. The timeline underscores the severity of the charges against D4vd, as authorities continue to investigate the disturbing details surrounding Celeste Rivas Hernandez's death.
