The Los Angeles Police Department announced on Thursday evening that 21-year-old artist d4vd, born David Burke, has been arrested under suspicion of murder. The arrest follows an extensive investigation into the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose dismembered remains were discovered inside an abandoned Tesla registered to the singer on September 8, 2025.
The LA County District Attorney’s Office is scheduled to review the case on Monday to determine the formal charges to be filed. In a statement provided to the Associated Press, legal representatives for Burke maintained his innocence, stating, “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.”
Hernandez had been reported missing by her family in 2024, at which time she was a 13-year-old student. Following the discovery of her remains, reports indicated that the victim had been in a relationship with Burke. Authorities have noted that the advanced state of decomposition suggested the victim had been deceased for a significant period prior to the discovery of the vehicle. Investigators also observed that Hernandez and Burke appeared to have shared matching finger tattoos.
This development marks a significant escalation in a case that has drawn intense public scrutiny since the initial discovery of the remains last autumn. As the legal process moves forward, the entertainment industry and the public await further findings from the District Attorney’s office.
