Breakout music artist D4vd was arrested Thursday in connection with the death of a teenage girl whose body was discovered last year inside a vehicle registered to him, authorities confirmed.
The Los Angeles Police Department said the 21-year-old performer, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, is being held without bail following his arrest on April 16. Investigators plan to present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on Monday to determine whether formal charges will be filed.
The case centers on the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who was found in the trunk of an impounded Tesla on Sept. 8, 2025, in the Hollywood Hills—just one day after her 15th birthday. Police responded after reports of a strong odor coming from the vehicle, which neighbors said had been abandoned for weeks.
Authorities have not yet disclosed a cause of death. The investigation remains active, with key forensic details—including the autopsy—sealed by court order.
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Burke had been under scrutiny for months. Prosecutors previously indicated he “may be involved” in the teen’s death as part of a grand jury probe launched earlier this year. He was formally identified as a suspect in November, according to law enforcement sources.
Police allege Burke has not been cooperative during parts of the investigation, though his legal team disputes that claim.
In a statement, Burke’s attorneys—including high-profile defense lawyer Blair Berk—denied any wrongdoing.
“David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death,” the attorneys said, emphasizing that no charges or indictment have yet been filed. “He has only been detained under suspicion. We will vigorously defend his innocence.”
Investigators believe the victim had been dead for several weeks before her body was discovered. The Tesla had reportedly been sitting in the neighborhood for about a month.
The victim had previously been reported missing multiple times in 2024 from Lake Elsinore, California. Authorities have not confirmed how or when she encountered Burke.
Detectives have also explored whether additional individuals may have been involved. Earlier investigative leads suggested the possibility that more than one person played a role in disposing of the body, though no other arrests have been announced.
Police executed search warrants at a nearby rental property where Burke had reportedly been staying. Items including electronics were seized, though officials have not disclosed what evidence, if any, was recovered.
A potential link between Burke and the victim—such as similar “Shhh” tattoos—has circulated online but remains unconfirmed by investigators.
With prosecutors expected to review the case early next week, the decision on whether to file criminal charges could mark a critical turning point in a case that has drawn national attention and raised questions about celebrity accountability and investigative transparency.
