Singer D4vd Formally Charged with Murder of 14-Year-Old Celeste Rivas Hernandez
Los Angeles County prosecutors have formally charged singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, with the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The 21-year-old artist was arrested last week after Hernandez's remains were discovered in a Tesla registered to him in September 2025, following months of investigation into the teenager's disappearance.
Details of the Charges and Investigation
During a press conference on Monday, Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced multiple charges against D4vd, describing the case as a "brutal and horrific murder" for which prosecutors can seek the death penalty. The primary charge is first-degree murder with special circumstances of "lying in wait," as Hernandez reportedly went to the singer's home before her death.
Two additional sets of charges allege murder for "financial gain," with prosecutors claiming D4vd killed Hernandez to protect his career from threats she allegedly made that night. A third charge involves murdering a witness to an investigation, with evidence suggesting Hernandez was a witness to sexual acts committed by D4vd while she was under 14 years old.
Victim's Disappearance and Identification
Celeste Rivas Hernandez was last seen by her family in April 2024 when the then-13-year-old left her Lake Elsinore home to watch a movie. She remained missing until her remains were identified through forensic analysis in September 2025. Court documents indicate authorities determined her age as 14 at the time of her death, though her exact cause of death remains unknown.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell addressed criticism about the seven-month delay in releasing information since Hernandez's discovery, explaining that the condition of her remains and substantial time between death and discovery complicated the investigation. "My duty is not to fuel speculation. It's to deliver justice, and that requires patience and discipline on everybody's part," McDonnell stated during the press conference.
Family Reaction and Legal Proceedings
The Hernandez family broke their silence following D4vd's arrest, with father Jesus Rivas expressing relief through family attorney Patrick Steinfeld. "Thank God ... justice for Celeste," Rivas said in a statement provided to media outlets. District Attorney Hochman emphasized the tragedy, noting, "A parent's nightmare is a situation where your daughter goes out one night and never comes back."
Prosecutors displayed D4vd's mugshot during the Monday press conference as they outlined the charges. The investigation continues as authorities work to establish a definitive cause of death and prepare evidence for court proceedings that could include the death penalty given the special circumstances allegations.
