Family Breaks Silence After Singer's Arrest in Teenager's Murder Case
The family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez has publicly spoken for the first time following the dramatic arrest of singer D4vd on suspicion of her murder. The 21-year-old recording artist, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, was taken into custody by Los Angeles police on April 17 and is being held without bail while authorities continue their investigation.
Months-Long Investigation Leads to Arrest
According to police statements, D4vd has been under investigation for several months after Hernandez's remains were discovered in a Tesla registered to him last September. The vehicle was found abandoned at a tow yard after employees reported a foul odor emanating from the car.
Court documents reveal that police investigators discovered a cadaver bag containing a head and torso inside the vehicle, along with a second bag holding additional body parts. Forensic examination eventually identified the remains as those of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, with authorities determining she was 14 years old at the time of her death.
Family's Emotional Response
Jesus Rivas, the teenager's father, expressed relief upon learning of the arrest, stating through family attorney Patrick Steinfeld: "Thank God ... justice for Celeste." The statement was provided to media outlets following the singer's apprehension.
Hernandez was last seen by her family in April 2024 when she disappeared from her hometown of Lake Elsinore, California. The then-13-year-old had told relatives she was going to watch a movie but never returned home. A missing person flyer cited by CBS described her as having wavy black hair, standing 5 feet 2 inches tall, and weighing approximately 120 pounds.
Police Investigation Details
LAPD Captain Scot M. Williams, commanding officer of the robbery-homicide division, provided chilling details about the case. "We know for sure that Celeste Rivas Hernandez died and someone placed her body in the front trunk area of David Burke's Tesla," Williams told media sources. "We know that the Tesla had been parked at the location from which it was towed for several weeks, so it is very likely Celeste Rivas Hernandez had been dead for several weeks prior to her body being discovered."
The arrest itself was dramatic, with police shouting "surrender" through a loudspeaker upon arriving at D4vd's Hollywood Hills home on Thursday. A neighbor who witnessed the incident described the scene to local media. Captain Williams explained the police approach: "We came to the home with a probable cause arrest warrant for him. We did the best we can to keep tabs on him, but once we developed probable cause to arrest him for murder, then we were on him pretty diligently."
Connection Between Victim and Suspect
According to the Los Angeles Times, police sources indicated that the teenager had been living with Burke after her disappearance. Her brother, Matthew Rivas, previously told media that the family was aware she knew the singer, and that before vanishing she had mentioned plans to see a movie with Burke.
The teenager's mother had earlier revealed to media that her daughter had a boyfriend named Dave prior to her disappearance. When Hernandez's body was discovered, she was wearing a tube top, black leggings, a yellow metal bracelet, and metal stud earrings. She also had a distinctive tattoo on her right index finger that read: "Shhh..."
Legal Response and Ongoing Questions
D4vd, known for viral songs including "Romantic Homicide" and "Here With Me," has not personally commented on the allegations. However, his legal representatives issued a statement asserting his innocence: "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 teenager's official cause of death remains unknown as the investigation continues. The case has drawn significant attention due to the celebrity involvement and the tragic circumstances surrounding Hernandez's disappearance and death.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez was from Lake Elsinore, California, a city located approximately 68 miles from Los Angeles. Her family has endured more than two years of uncertainty since her initial disappearance in April 2024, with the recent arrest bringing both hope for justice and renewed attention to their devastating loss.
