Singer D4vd Arrested on Suspicion of Murder in Teen's Death
Singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, has been arrested by Los Angeles police on suspicion of murdering Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a teenager whose remains were found in a Tesla registered to him last year. The 21-year-old Houston-born artist was taken into custody from his Hollywood Hills home on Thursday, with police reportedly using a loudspeaker to demand his surrender before escorting him away in handcuffs.
Investigation and Discovery of the Body
The case dates back to September, when Hernandez's remains were discovered in an abandoned Tesla at a tow yard. Employees had complained about a foul smell emanating from the vehicle, leading to the grim finding. According to court documents, police investigators found a body bag containing a head and torso, along with a second bag with other body parts inside the car.
Hernandez, who was 13 years old at the time, went missing in April 2024 after going to watch a movie with her family. Her cause of death remains unknown, and she had not been seen since her disappearance.
Police Action and Legal Proceedings
Captain Scot M. Williams, the commanding officer of the LAPD's robbery-homicide division, stated that the arrest was made with a probable cause warrant. '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,' Williams said. D4vd is currently being held without bail.
Despite the arrest, no indictment has been returned by a grand jury, and no criminal complaint has been filed. D4vd's attorneys, Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter, have announced they will 'vigorously defend' their client's innocence. In a statement, they asserted, '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. David has only been detained under suspicion.'
Background and Community Impact
The arrest has sent shockwaves through the entertainment community, as D4vd is a rising figure in the music industry. The investigation has been ongoing for months, with police closely monitoring the singer before making the arrest. Neighbors reported the dramatic scene at his Hollywood Hills residence, where police efforts to secure his surrender were visible.
As the legal process unfolds, authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Hernandez's death, while D4vd's defense team prepares to challenge the allegations in court.
