The decomposed remains of Celeste Rivas Hernandez were discovered in the singer’s abandoned Tesla.
US singer D4vd has been charged with the murder of a 14-year-old girl whose decomposed remains were found in his car last year.
The 21-year-old singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, was arrested and held last week in connection with the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Prosecutors filed charges of first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse and mutilation of human remains following a press conference on Monday local time with Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman.
Hochman noted that prosecutors are seeking three enhancements to the murder charge: lying in wait, financial gain and murdering a witness to an investigation.
He said Burke allegedly “engaged in repeated lewd and lascivious sexual relations” with Celeste.
When she threatened to expose his criminal actions and “devastate his musical career” Burke allegedly murdered her and cut up her body, Hochman said.
Her remains were then placed into two bags that were put in the front truck of Burke’s car.
“There the dismembered body sat for over four months decomposing until it was found at a tow yard on September 8, 2025,” Hochman said.
“This horrific and gruesome murder committed by the charged sexual predator is shocking and appalling. To Celeste’s loved ones, we will get the justice you seek and deserve.”
A criminal complaint in the case alleged that the sexual abuse of Celeste occurred “on or between” September 7, 2023, and September 7, 2024, “while the defendant resided with, and had recurring access to, the child.”
Celeste would have turned 13 years old on September 7, 2023.
The special circumstances mean Burke may face life in prison up to a potential death penalty.
A determination as to whether to seek capital punishment would be made at a later date, Hochman said.
Police found Celeste on September 8, 2025 in the trunk of Burke’s abandoned Tesla, which was impounded at Hollywood Tow.
Officers were called to the impound lot over concerns about a foul odor emanating from the vehicle.
Her body was found a day after what would have been Celeste’s 15th birthday.
Detectives learned that Celeste, a runaway from Riverside, was involved in a sexual relationship with Burke, according to Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell.
Celeste was last known to be alive on April 23, 2025, when she arrived at Burke’s Hollywood Hills home, before being found in September, the chief said.
“The substantial amount of time that passed between her death and the discovery meant that crucial evidence had degraded or disappeared, and as detectives worked to uncover the truth, they also had to sift through and debunk a great deal of false information circulating publicly,” McDonnell added.
Celeste’s cause of death was not made public.
Last year, the medical examiner’s office said it couldn’t release details about the cause and manner of her death because of a security hold sought by police.
Burke is accused of using a “deadly and dangerous weapon, to wit, Sharp Instrument” in the murder, according to the criminal complaint.
Celeste was reported missing in 2024 from Lake Elsinore, southeast of Los Angeles, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office previously said.
Burke was on tour at the time Celeste’s remains were discovered and cancelled the rest of his performances after news about her death broke.
He was also due to play at Australia’s Spilt Milk festival late last year however was removed from the lineup
David Burke’s attorneys, Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter, said they were prepared to “vigorously defend David’s innocence.”
“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,” statement said.
News
My heart is just taken aback,” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith told reporters. “I just cannot begin to imagine how such an event can occur.”
The suspect, who was the father of seven of the children, was killed after a vehicle chase, police said. The slain children were 3 to 11 years old, authorities said. SHREVEPORT, La. — A man in Louisiana killed eight children…
girlfriend were also shot and seriously injured in the violence, which occurred at two homes in the early morning, Shreveport police said.
The suspect, who was the father of seven of the children, was killed after a vehicle chase, police said. The slain children were 3 to 11 years old, authorities said. SHREVEPORT, La. — A man in Louisiana killed eight children…
The children killed were three boys and five girls, ages 3 to 11, the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office said. Police had previously given their ages as about 1 to 14.
The suspect, who was the father of seven of the children, was killed after a vehicle chase, police said. The slain children were 3 to 11 years old, authorities said. SHREVEPORT, La. — A man in Louisiana killed eight children…
The suspect’s wife and a woman believed to be his girlfriend were also shot and seriously injured in the violence, which occurred at two homes in the early morning, Shreveport police said.
The suspect, who was the father of seven of the children, was killed after a vehicle chase, police said. The slain children were 3 to 11 years old, authorities said. SHREVEPORT, La. — A man in Louisiana killed eight children…
Louisiana killed eight children Sunday in a shooting that authorities described as a domestic violence incident and was later killed by police after he fled in a carjacked vehicle, officials said.
The suspect, who was the father of seven of the children, was killed after a vehicle chase, police said. The slain children were 3 to 11 years old, authorities said. SHREVEPORT, La. — A man in Louisiana killed eight children…
The suspect, who was the father of seven of the children, was killed after a vehicle chase, police said. The slain children were 3 to 11 years old, authorities said.
The suspect, who was the father of seven of the children, was killed after a vehicle chase, police said. The slain children were 3 to 11 years old, authorities said. SHREVEPORT, La. — A man in Louisiana killed eight children…
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