Singer D4vd has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose decomposed body was found in his Tesla last year. The 21-year-old Houston-born artist, whose legal name is David Burke, was taken into custody on April 16, 2026, following a months-long investigation by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Authorities say the case remains under active review as prosecutors determine whether to file formal charges.
The arrest comes after a grand jury investigation identified Burke as a “target” in the case, a designation revealed in February 2026 when his family challenged subpoenas in a Texas court. Investigators allege that Hernandez’s remains were discovered in the front storage compartment, or “frunk,” of a Tesla registered to Burke after the vehicle was impounded in Hollywood Hills. The body had been severely decomposed and was not intact, according to law enforcement sources cited in court documents.
Hernandez was last seen alive on April 5, 2024, in western Riverside County and had been reported missing from the Lake Elsinore area. Her 15th birthday would have been September 9, 2024, just a day after her body was found. Burke had been identified by police as a suspect in November 2025, though officials initially said he was cooperating with the investigation before later indicating he had not been fully cooperative.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the young age of the victim and the circumstances surrounding the discovery of her remains. Law enforcement sources told the Los Angeles Times that Hernandez’s arms and legs had been severed from her body, though no official cause of death has been publicly released by the coroner’s office. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Major Crimes Division is currently reviewing the evidence presented by investigators to determine if there is sufficient basis to proceed with charges.
Burke, who rose to prominence as an alt-pop singer under the stage name D4vd, has not publicly commented on the arrest. His representatives did not respond to multiple requests for comment from The Associated Press prior to his detention. He is currently being held without bail as the legal process unfolds.
What happens next in the case
The next step in the legal process is for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office to decide whether to file formal murder charges against David Burke. According to the office’s statement following the arrest, prosecutors will review the evidence presented by law enforcement over the coming days. No date has been set for a preliminary hearing or arraignment, and no additional court filings have been made public as of April 17, 2026.
Individuals seeking updates on the case can monitor official announcements from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office or contact the Los Angeles Police Department’s homicide division directly. Court records, if any are filed, will be available through the Los Angeles County Superior Court website.
As this is an ongoing criminal investigation involving a minor, authorities have urged the public to refrain from speculation and to allow the legal process to proceed without interference. Further details about the evidence, potential motives, or forensic findings have not been released pending judicial review.
If you have information about this case or wish to share thoughts on the developments, we encourage you to engage respectfully in the comments below. Sharing this article helps others stay informed about verified updates as they become available.
Keep reading