Pop Star D4vd Charged with Murder of Teen Found Dismembered in Car Trunk
The meteoric rise of alt-pop sensation D4vd has come to a shocking and gruesome end as the singer now faces murder charges for the killing of a 14-year-old girl, whose dismembered remains were discovered in the trunk of his abandoned Tesla. Prosecutors allege the brutal crime was committed to protect his burgeoning music career.
Charges and Allegations
District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced on Monday that 21-year-old D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, has been formally charged with first-degree murder, lewd acts with a minor under 14, and mutilation of a body in connection with the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The criminal complaint details a sexual relationship that allegedly began when the victim was just 13 years old, spanning from September 2023 to September 2024.
Prosecutors state that the "brutal and horrific murder" occurred around April 23, 2025, with Rivas Hernandez killed using a sharp object. Special circumstances have been noted in the charges, including lying in wait, committing the crime for financial gain, and murdering a witness. These factors could make the case eligible for the death penalty under California law, though the state currently maintains a moratorium on executions.
The Grisly Discovery
The case unfolded when, on September 8, 2025—a day after what would have been Rivas Hernandez's 15th birthday—her dismembered and decomposing body was found inside a cadaver bag in the front trunk of a Tesla. The vehicle had been towed from a Hollywood Hills street to an impound lot after an employee reported a foul odor emanating from it.
Court documents describe a harrowing scene: the bag was "covered with insects and a strong odor of decay," and when detectives partially unzipped it, they "observed a decomposed head and torso." Further investigation revealed that the arms and legs had been severed from the body, with additional body parts found in a second black bag beneath the first. Officials believe she had been dead for an extended period before discovery.
Connection Between Victim and Accused
Rivas Hernandez was first reported missing by her family in 2024 when she was 13 years old. She was reported missing multiple times over subsequent months, with her final disappearance occurring in April 2025. Prosecutors allege she was last heard from on April 23, 2025, after arriving at Burke's Hollywood Hills home.
Investigators have uncovered multiple connections between the two. In January 2024, Rivas Hernandez appeared with Burke in a Twitch livestream, where he was heard saying, "Delete everything." Photos later surfaced showing Burke near her neighborhood in a black Tesla. Around that time, a concerned person emailed an address associated with Burke, referencing rumors about her disappearance and urging him to "please do the right thing and take her home."
While Rivas Hernandez returned home briefly after that email, she was reported missing again in March and then for the final time in April. Police Chief Jim McDonnell stated that investigators determined the teen had been involved in a sexual relationship with Burke, an allegation now central to the criminal charges.
Legal Proceedings and Defense
Burke was arrested in mid-April and is being held without bail. His attorneys—Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter—have vehemently denied the allegations, stating in a released statement: "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. 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."
Before charges were filed, Burke had been the focus of a secret grand jury investigation, though he had not been formally named a suspect. The investigation's existence was revealed in February when his family members objected to subpoenas demanding their testimony in a Texas court. The 2023 Tesla Model Y was registered in the singer's name at his family's Texas address, according to court filings.
Career Context and Family Impact
Burke, known professionally as D4vd, rose to fame in 2022 with the viral hit "Romantic Homicide," building a substantial Gen Z following with his blend of indie rock, R&B, and lo-fi pop. He later signed with Darkroom and Interscope Records, releasing "Petals to Thorns" and "The Lost Petals" before his debut album, "Withered." At the time his remains were discovered, Burke was on tour promoting this album, later canceling remaining shows as the case gained national attention.
Rivas Hernandez's family has largely remained out of the public eye but released a statement expressing they were "heartbroken and devastated" by the loss, describing the teenager as "a beloved daughter, sister, cousin and friend." District Attorney Hochman noted that he had met with some family members, stating, "their grief is incalculable as to what happened to their daughter." The family is expected to participate in court proceedings, with their attorney committed to ensuring her voice is heard as the case progresses.
No cause of death has been publicly revealed, with police obtaining a court order to block the release of autopsy details. Hochman indicated that the coroner's report would be released "shortly." The case continues to develop as legal proceedings move forward, with the music world and public alike watching closely at the dramatic fall of a once-rising star.
