Prosecutors claim singer D4vd had ‘significant amount of child porn’ on phone
D4vd has been accused by prosecutors of possessing 'a significant amount' of child sexual abuse images on his phone and iCloud account.
The singer has been arrested and charged over the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose dismembered body was found in the front trunk of Burke’s Tesla in September 2025.
Police discovered the body after a foul odour was reported from the vehicle at a Hollywood tow yard.
Prosecutors allege D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, repeatedly sexually abused the teenager before killing and dismembering her to protect his music career.
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He has been charged with seven crimes, including murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and mutilation of remains.
Burke has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers say they will 'vigorously defend' him, arguing the evidence will show he did not kill Celeste.
The singer has not been charged with any offence related to the alleged images.
Prosecutor Beth Silverman said police came across the photos after executing a search warrant on the singer’s phone, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Silverman claims that investigators collected about '40 terabytes' of evidence but it will take time to share it all.
“I cannot turn that type of materials over,” she said.
“Today it’s been exactly one year since the death of Celeste,” Silverman added. “We’re eager to set this case for trial.”
The body, with the head and arms cut off, was found in two bags in an abandoned Tesla registered to Burke that was towed from the Hollywood Hills while he was on tour.
In a post-mortem examination report, the LA County Medical Examiner determined that she died from two penetrating wounds to her upper body.
The decomposing body made the examination difficult. Investigators did not determine how she got the wounds, and no weapon was recovered, the report said.
Celeste's parents Jesus Rivas and Mercedes Martinez made their first public statement this week, which read: "Celeste was a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance. Every Friday night was movie night and we spent wonderful times together.
"We love her very much and she always told us that she loved us. We miss her deeply. All we want is Justice for Celeste."
A timeline of Celeste Rivas Hernandez's death and the allegations against D4vd
April 2024
Celeste Rivas Hernandez, aged 13, is reported missing by her family from Lake Elsinore, California. It is the third time she is reported missing that year, but tragically she is never seen by her parents again.
25 April 2025
D4vd’s debut album Withered is released. It debuts at No. 13 on the Billboard chart, with 30,000 units sold in the first week. He tells The Hollywood Reporter that 80 percent of the album was made on his phone and he recorded vocal takes in his sister’s closet.
5 August 2025
D4vd begins a world tour, starting with a gig in Del Mar, California.
8 September 2025
Hernandez’s severely decomposed body is found in the front trunk of a Tesla linked to D4vd. D4vd’s representatives say he is cooperating with the investigation.
9 September 2025
D4vd performs as planned at The Fillmore Minneapolis, despite the ongoing investigation around Rivas’ death.
18 September 2025
Rivas’ family create a fundraiser and release a statement, which reads: “As many of you know, Celeste Rivas Hernandez has been identified as the body found last week. She was a beloved daughter, sister, cousin, and friend. Her family is heartbroken and devastated by this tragic loss. Any funds you are able to donate are greatly appreciated.” More than $24,000 is raised for them.
19 September 2025
D4vd cancels the rest of his world tour, and the deluxe version of his debut album is not released as planned.
24 November 2025
The Los Angeles medical examiners officer receives a court order preventing any details of Rivas’ death from being released to the public.
16 April 2026
D4vd is arrested and held without bail.
Anish Vij