D4vd has been charged with first-degree murder over the death of teenager Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
In September 2025, the remains of the 14-year-old were recovered from the boot of a car in Los Angeles, after the LAPD responded to reports of a 'foul smell' coming from an impounded Tesla at a Hollywood tow yard.
It was later revealed that the car belonged to singer and rapper D4vd - real name David Anthony Burke - prompting law enforcement to launch an investigation into the 21-year-old.
Burke was arrested on suspicion of murder last week, with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office confirming that charges had been filed against him earlier today.
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Speaking about the incident in a press conference, District Attorney Nathan Hochman confirmed that Burke had been charged with the teenager's 'brutal and horrific murder'.
Describing the circumstances around Celeste's disappearance, Hochman told reporters that Celeste had allegedly left her home to visit Burke's residence in the Hollywood Hills on 23 April, 2025, before she was 'never heard from again'.
Her 'dismembered and decomposing' remains were then recovered from the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke in September.
Confirming that Burke had been charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances, which are:
- Lying in wait: in reference to Celeste allegedly being invited to Burke's home on 23, April, 2025
- Financial gain: Hochman alleged that Burke had killed Celeste to maintain his 'very lucrative' musical career that Celeste had been 'threatening on that particular night'
- Murdering a witness to an investigation: Hochman says there is evidence that Celeste was a witness to sexual acts committed by Burke while she was under 14-years-old.
Hochman went on to add that prosecutors have filed two additional charges against Burke, alongside murder, which are:
- Continuous lewd acts with an individual under 14
- Mutilating the human remains of a body.
If found guilty, Burke faces either life without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell also defended the delay in arresting and charging Burke after Celeste's remains were recovered, saying the investigation was focused on securing justice for Celeste's family.
"I want to be clear about something. My duty is not to fuel speculation. It's to deliver justice, and that requires patience and discipline on everybody's part," he said.
This investigation was driven by a single purpose to secure justice for Celeste Rivas and for those who loved her.
"We had to be certain that nothing we did or said would ever jeopardise this case."
Burke's legal team are yet to comment on the charges; however, a statement issued after the singer's arrest said they would defend the case.
"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," a statement from Burke's legal team Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter read.
Brenna Cooper