D4vd Will Be Charged with Murder in Death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez

**Investigation into Murder of Teenager Linked to Music Artist**

Authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation following the grim discovery of a 14-year-old girl’s dismembered remains in the trunk of a singer’s car. The deceased, identified as Celeste Rivas Hernandez, was reported missing just days before the tragic revelation. The case has garnered significant attention, with prosecutors now preparing to file serious criminal charges against the 21-year-old artist, who goes by the stage name D4vd.

During a press conference held on April 20, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced that the singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, would face charges including first-degree murder. Hochman indicated that the circumstances of the case allowed for additional charges, which include committing the murder with premeditation, financial motivation, and the alleged killing of a potential witness.

Burke’s legal challenges do not stop there; he is also facing accusations related to sexual misconduct with an underage individual and the desecration of human remains. Due to the weight of the allegations, he stands to face a life sentence without the possibility of parole, or even the death penalty, although the prosecutor’s office has not yet decided on pursuing capital punishment.

Burke was apprehended on April 17, in the Hollywood Hills area, just three days prior to the charges being announced. This followed a grand jury investigation that began in November 2025, suggesting that law enforcement had been actively probing the singer’s activities for several months prior to his arrest.

In stark contrast to the prosecutor’s assertions, Burke’s defence attorneys have vocally maintained his innocence, claiming that evidence will prove he did not cause Rivas’s death. The attorneys, Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter, issued a statement insisting that Burke had no involvement in the alleged crime.

Celeste Rivas was discovered deceased in the front trunk of a Tesla vehicle, which was registered to Burke. This discovery was made on September 8, 2025, a tragic day that marked the day after her 15th birthday. The Los Angeles Police Department responded to the scene following reports from the public about a foul odour coming from the car, leading to the grim find.

Details surrounding the condition of Rivas’s remains were particularly harrowing. A petition filed by the Los Angeles County referenced that her body had been dismembered and placed in separate bags. To maintain the integrity of the ongoing investigation, the police have kept the findings of her autopsy sealed, leaving the exact cause of her death undisclosed at this time.

Prior to her disappearance, Rivas had been reported missing from Lake Elsinore, California, on multiple occasions throughout 2024. According to local residents, the teenager had a history of running away, raising concerns regarding her last known whereabouts before she was reported missing. The community remains in shock as they grapple with the implications of this tragic event.

The case has garnered widespread media attention and prompted community members to express their fears regarding the safety of children. As details continue to emerge, many are left questioning the circumstances leading to Rivas’s disappearance and the broader issues of youth safety.

As the prosecution prepares to take its next steps, further developments are expected in what is shaping up to be a high-profile legal battle. The focus now turns to the upcoming court proceedings and the evidence to be presented. The world looks on as the case, marked by tragedy and shocking revelations, unfolds further.