Singer D4vd Pleads Not Guilty to Murder of Teen Found in His Tesla
The singer known as D4vd has entered a not guilty plea to the murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old girl whose dismembered and decomposing body was discovered in his apparently abandoned Tesla last September. The 21-year-old musician, whose legal name is David Burke, was arraigned on Monday afternoon in Los Angeles, just hours after the district attorney's office announced formal charges against him.
Charges and Allegations
Burke faces first-degree murder charges with special circumstances in the killing of Celeste, who was reported missing by her family in 2024 when she was 13 years old. Authorities confirm she was 14 at the time of her death. Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman revealed during a press conference that Burke engaged in a sexual relationship with the teenager.
The charges include murder with special circumstances alleging that Burke was lying in wait and killed the teen for financial gain to maintain his lucrative music career. Additional charges include continuous lewd and lascivious sexual acts with an individual under 14 years old and mutilating human remains. Hochman described the killing as a "brutal and horrific murder" that has gripped the Los Angeles community for more than half a year.
Discovery of the Body
Celeste's remains were found inside a Tesla Model Y that was towed from the Hollywood Hills on September 8, just one day after she would have turned 15. The vehicle had been sitting in an upscale neighborhood as though abandoned before being impounded. Police investigators searching the Tesla in a tow yard discovered a cadaver bag "covered with insects and a strong odor of decay."
According to court documents, detectives partially unzipped the bag and found a head and torso. Investigators from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office removed the bag and discovered the arms and legs had been severed from the body. A second black bag containing additional dismembered body parts was found underneath the first.
Investigation Timeline
The case represents the most significant development since the teen's remains were discovered last fall. Authorities did not publicly name Burke as a suspect until his arrest last Thursday at a home in Hollywood. Investigators had been focusing on D4vd as a primary suspect for months prior to the arrest.
Hochman stated that Celeste went to Burke's home on April 23, 2025, and was never heard from again. The singer had been under investigation by an LA County grand jury looking into the death, though the investigation was officially secret until February when his family members objected to subpoenas demanding they testify in Texas court.
Defense and Community Response
Attorneys for the Houston-born alt-pop singer released a statement asserting his innocence after homicide detectives arrested him. "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," the lawyers declared, adding they would vigorously defend his innocence.
The family of Celeste has remained private and has not made any public statements regarding her death or the ongoing case. A GoFundMe page for her family described the teen as a "beloved daughter, sister, cousin, and friend." A missing person poster noted she was last seen wearing Hello Kitty sandals.
Family friends remember Celeste as "studious, a hard worker and intelligent" and have expressed that she "deserves justice." The killing has left her community grieving for the teenager who was remembered as quiet and sweet.
D4vd's Career and Impact
D4vd, pronounced "David," gained significant popularity among Generation Z for his unique blend of indie rock, R&B, and lo-fi pop. He went viral on TikTok in 2022 with his hit song "Romantic Homicide," which peaked at number four on Billboard's Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. Following this success, he signed with Darkroom and Interscope Records, releasing his debut EP "Petals to Thorns" and a follow-up "The Lost Petals" in 2023.
When the body was discovered in September, the singer continued his North American tour. However, as reports of his possible involvement spread widely, he canceled the final two shows and an upcoming European tour that was scheduled to follow.
Medical and Legal Developments
No cause of death has been publicly revealed, and police obtained a court order blocking the release of autopsy details to maintain the integrity of the investigation. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell explained that the condition of the remains delayed the medical examiner's ability to determine the cause of death and caused crucial evidence to degrade or disappear.
Despite these challenges, the medical examiner was ultimately able to determine the cause of death, and Hochman indicated that the court order preventing the release of autopsy details will soon be lifted. The case continues to develop as both prosecution and defense prepare for what promises to be a closely watched legal proceeding in Los Angeles.
