Singer d4vd Formally Charged With First-Degree Murder In Killing Of Celeste Rivas Hernandez
Singer David Burke, known as d4vd, has been formally charged with first-degree murder in the killing of teenager Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman filed the charge, including special circumstances, prosecutors said. Authorities say Hernandez's dismembered and severely decomposed remains were found Sept. 8, 2025 inside two cadaver bags in a 2023 Tesla Model Y that had been towed from a Hollywood Hills lot. Police say the car prompted complaints about a foul smell and flies before it was towed and searched at a yard. Hernandez was reported missing from Lake Elsinore at 13 in 2024 and was 14 when investigators say she was killed.
A Los Angeles grand jury had secretly investigated Burke, and subpoenas were issued to his parents and brother in Texas, court filings show. Burke was arrested last week and is being held without bail while prosecutors' Major Crimes Division reviews whether to proceed, officials said. The defense has publicly denied Burke committed the killing and vowed to vigorously defend him, while no official cause of death has been released. Police also barred public release of autopsy findings last November, leaving some forensic details tied to the investigation under seal.
Early reports from outlets such as Fox News and NPR described Burke as arrested on suspicion and said the DA would review the case before filing charges. Later coverage by The New York Times and CBS News confirmed prosecutors had formally filed first-degree murder charges, changing the public narrative from suspicion to formal culpability. Social media reaction has been mixed, with some users demanding harsh punishment and others urging patience for due process and praising investigators for following evidence. Commenters also noted the defense's insistence on Burke's innocence and the eerie link some pointed out between his music and the allegations.
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This story is compiled from 9 sources using AI-assisted curation and analysis. Original reporting is attributed below. Learn about our methodology.
📌 Key Facts
- Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman formally filed a first-degree murder charge with special circumstances against David Burke, the musician known as d4vd, calling it “the most serious charges that a DA's office can bring.”
- Burke was arrested by the LAPD on suspicion of murder and initially held without bail while prosecutors reviewed the case before filing formal charges.
- The victim is 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who was reported missing at 13 from Lake Elsinore in 2024; her dismembered, severely decomposed remains were found Sept. 8, 2025 — one day after what would have been her 15th birthday.
- Court documents and grand-jury papers say Hernandez’s remains were found in cadaver bags inside Burke’s 2023 Tesla Model Y after the vehicle was towed from a Hollywood Hills neighborhood following reports of a foul smell and flies; filings describe a bag with a decomposed head and torso and a second bag containing severed arms and legs, with at least one document referencing the vehicle’s front storage compartment.
- A Los Angeles County grand jury had been secretly investigating Burke; his parents and brother were subpoenaed in Texas, which revealed Burke as the grand jury’s named target.
- Authorities have not publicly released a cause of death; police previously blocked public release of the autopsy, and prosecutors’ Major Crimes Division reviewed the matter before filing charges.
- Burke’s defense team issued a public statement denying he murdered Celeste and saying they will vigorously defend his innocence.
- Burke, 21, had been touring on the “d4vd Withered 2025 World Tour” and canceled concerts after the discovery and identification of the body; prosecutors filed charges roughly seven months after the remains were found.
📰 Source Timeline (9)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
April 20, 2026
5:12 PM
D4vd charged with murder in connection with death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez
New information:
- Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman formally filed a first-degree murder charge with special circumstances against David Burke, known as d4vd.
- Hernandez's dismembered and severely decomposed remains were found in two cadaver bags inside the trunk of Burke's Tesla at a Hollywood tow yard, according to court records.
- DA Hochman publicly described the filing as including "the most serious charges that a DA's office can bring."
- The article confirms the tow yard discovery occurred after reports of a foul smell and flies coming from the vehicle.
- The piece notes Burke was on his "d4vd Withered 2025 World Tour" and canceled a Seattle concert the day Hernandez's identity was made public.
2:29 PM
Singer d4vd expected to face murder charge
New information:
- Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office is expected to file a murder charge against d4vd on Monday.
- CBS pegs the expected charge to seven months after Celeste Rivas' body was found in a car he owned.
- CBS reiterates that the 21-year-old musician was arrested last week, framing this as a prelude to formal charging.
April 18, 2026
12:08 AM
What we know about the arrest of singer d4vd in teen girl's death
New information:
- CBS segment reiterates that David Burke, known as d4vd, is in custody on suspicion of murder after discovery of a 14-year-old girl's body in his Tesla.
- It restates that the remains were found in September 2025 and that he is currently behind bars while prosecutors review the case.
April 17, 2026
5:55 PM
What to know about singer D4vd's arrest in 14-year-old's killing
New information:
- Clarifies that David Burke has been arrested on suspicion of murder but has not yet been charged; the DA's Major Crimes Division is reviewing the case.
- Notes prosecutors are expected to receive the case Monday and will then decide whether to file charges.
- Details a defense statement from three named attorneys explicitly asserting Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and vowing to "vigorously" defend his innocence.
- Provides additional narrative on Celeste Rivas Hernandez's disappearance from Lake Elsinore at age 13 and confirms authorities list her age as 14 at the time she was killed.
- Reiterates and elaborates on autopsy-related secrecy, including police blocking public release of the autopsy findings in November.
- Adds more career context on Burke's tour and cancellations tied to the discovery of the body.
3:40 PM
Singer D4vd is arrested in the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez
New information:
- Confirms LAPD has arrested David Burke (d4vd) on suspicion of murder in the killing of Celeste Rivas Hernandez and is holding him without bail.
- Clarifies that the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Major Crimes Division will review the case Monday to decide whether to file charges; no indictment or complaint has yet been filed.
- Details the condition and discovery of Celeste's body: dismembered remains in cadaver bags inside Burke's apparently abandoned 2023 Tesla Model Y towed from a Hollywood Hills neighborhood.
- Documents that Burke has been a formal target of an LA County grand jury investigation, revealed when his parents and brother moved in Texas court to quash subpoenas.
- Provides first public statement from Burke's defense team, explicitly asserting he did not murder Celeste and vowing to vigorously defend his innocence.
- Reiterates Celeste's disappearance history: reported missing at age 13 from Lake Elsinore in 2024, body found Sept. 8, 2025, the day after what would have been her 15th birthday.
2:19 AM
Singer D4vd is arrested months after a teen's remains were found in his car
New information:
- Confirms LAPD statement that David Burke (d4vd) was arrested on suspicion of murder and is being held without bail in the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
- Details that LAPD plans to present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office on Monday and that the DA's Major Crimes Division will review whether to file charges.
- Adds specific narrative about how the body was discovered: Tesla towed from an upscale Hollywood Hills neighborhood after sitting apparently abandoned, then searched at a tow yard.
- Provides graphic forensic details from court documents: cadaver bag covered with insects and strong odor of decay, decomposed head and torso observed, arms and legs severed and found in a second bag.
- Clarifies victim timeline: Celeste was reported missing at 13 in 2024 from Lake Elsinore, was 14 when killed, and her body was found Sept. 8, 2025, one day after what would have been her 15th birthday.
- Reiterates that a Los Angeles County grand jury had already been secretly investigating Burke and that his parents and brother were subpoenaed in Texas, revealing him as the grand jury’s target.
- Notes that no cause of death has been publicly released and that Burke’s representatives have not responded to multiple AP requests for comment.
1:55 AM
Singer D4vd arrested and held without bail in case tied to teen found dead in Tesla: Police
New information:
- LAPD publicly states that David Burke (d4vd) is being held without bail following his arrest.
- LAPD says the case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on Monday for filing consideration, indicating charges are not yet formally filed.
- Fox reproduces grand jury subpoena language specifying that the Tesla was a 2023 Model Y, that a cadaver bag containing a decomposed, dismembered body was found in the front storage compartment, and that a second bag contained severed arms and legs.
- The article reconfirms, via AP-cited documents, that Burke was the grand jury’s named target for one count of murder and that three relatives received subpoenas for testimony.
- Timeline detail that Hernandez was reported missing as a 13‑year‑old in 2024 and was 14 when killed; her body was found Sept. 8, 2025, one day after what would have been her 15th birthday.
1:22 AM
D4vd Arrested in Connection With Death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez
New information:
- Confirms that Los Angeles prosecutors have formally charged d4vd in connection with the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, not just arrested him on suspicion.
- Provides the victim’s full name, Celeste Rivas Hernandez, and clarifies her age and status as a teenager (if specified in the NYT piece).
- Adds details about the circumstances of the incident involving a Tesla (as implied by the URL), including where and how the body was discovered and any new timeline specifics.
- Includes new quotes or statements from law enforcement, prosecutors or defense counsel regarding the nature of the charges and next court dates.