Los Angeles, CA – Singer David Burke, known professionally as d4vd, is the central focus of a Los Angeles County grand jury investigation stemming from the discovery of the remains of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez in the front trunk of his Tesla. The case, which began unfolding in September 2025, has captivated international attention and raised serious questions about the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death. Court documents reveal that Burke is being treated as a “target” in the investigation, with prosecutors seeking testimony from his family members in Texas.
The investigation gained momentum after the dismembered body of Rivas Hernandez was found in Burke’s vehicle after it was towed from a Hollywood street. The grim discovery occurred months after the Tesla was abandoned and a tow yard worker alerted authorities to a disturbing odor emanating from the car. The case has since evolved from a missing person investigation to a potential homicide, prompting a detailed examination of Burke’s movements and potential connections to the victim. The singer’s rising musical career was abruptly halted as the investigation intensified, and a planned global tour was canceled.
According to a grand jury subpoena, Burke may have committed the offense of murder in California. The subpoena sought the testimony of Burke’s father, Dawud, mother, Colleen, and brother, Caleb, from their residence in Texas. While the specifics of the evidence linking Burke to the case remain largely confidential due to the ongoing nature of the grand jury proceedings, the documents paint a disturbing picture of the condition of the remains found within the Tesla. The details, as outlined in the subpoena, describe the discovery of a “black cadaver bag covered with insects and a strong odor of decay” containing dismembered body parts.
Details Emerging from Court Documents
The legal battle surrounding the subpoenas issued to Burke’s family has brought further details to light. Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman issued the subpoenas on January 15, which were subsequently approved by Superior Court Judge Craig Richman. The Burke family contested the subpoenas, arguing against their enforcement in Texas. However, on February 9, the First Court of Appeals in Texas denied their petitions to ignore the subpoenas, compelling them to cooperate with the investigation. NBC Los Angeles provides further coverage of the court proceedings.
Investigators initially obtained a search warrant for the Tesla on September 8 after a tow yard worker reported the foul odor. Upon opening the trunk, detectives discovered the remains, meticulously packaged in two black bags. The initial examination revealed a decomposed head and torso in the first bag, while the second bag contained the severed limbs. Criminalists and medical examiners were subsequently tasked with processing the remains and attempting to identify the victim. The subsequent identification of Celeste Rivas Hernandez led to a broader investigation into her disappearance and potential connections to Burke.
The Investigation and Key Individuals
The Los Angeles Police Department has been tight-lipped about the specifics of the investigation, declining to officially characterize Rivas Hernandez’s death as a homicide. However, a court filing by an LAPD detective indicated that the case is being treated as a murder investigation, according to reporting by the Los Angeles Times. The Los Angeles Times details the efforts to maintain secrecy surrounding the investigation.
Prosecutors began presenting evidence to a grand jury in November, described as an investigative grand jury. Numerous witnesses have been called to testify, including one of Burke’s managers and Neo Langston, a friend of the singer who was initially arrested in Montana for failing to comply with a subpoena. Langston was subsequently compelled to return to Los Angeles to provide testimony. The investigation has also focused on the period leading up to the discovery of the remains, with detectives examining the circumstances surrounding the Tesla being parked on Bluebird Avenue in the Hollywood Hills for several weeks.
Court records indicate that Burke’s Tesla was parked on Bluebird Avenue around the time he embarked on a national tour in late July. The tour was ultimately canceled following the emergence of the death investigation. Authorities learned that Celeste Rivas Hernandez had been reported missing by her family prior to the discovery of her remains, and she would have turned 15 the day before her body was found. The Los Angeles Times reported on the grief experienced by the family following the loss of Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Timeline and Remaining Questions
According to LAPD Captain Scot Williams, who leads the Robbery-Homicide Division, Rivas Hernandez had been deceased for “at least several weeks” before her body was discovered. Williams clarified that the body had not been decapitated or frozen, contradicting some initial reports. TMZ reported on the clarification regarding the condition of the remains.
The investigation continues to focus on establishing the relationship between Burke and Rivas Hernandez, as well as determining the circumstances that led to her death. The grand jury proceedings remain confidential, but the subpoenas issued to Burke’s family suggest that prosecutors believe they may possess information relevant to the case. The legal proceedings in Texas, while unsuccessful in preventing the family’s testimony, highlight the complexities of the investigation and the efforts to gather evidence from multiple jurisdictions.
The case has drawn significant media attention, with outlets like Court TV and NBC Los Angeles providing ongoing coverage. The investigation remains active, and authorities have not yet announced any arrests or formal charges in connection with the case.
As of February 25, 2026, the next scheduled step in the legal process is the continued testimony before the Los Angeles County grand jury. The grand jury will ultimately determine whether there is sufficient evidence to indict David Burke on criminal charges. The public awaits further updates from the Los Angeles Police Department and the District Attorney’s office as the investigation progresses.
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