Singer D4vd Arrested Over Teen Murder Case

US singer D4vd has been arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were found in his Tesla in 2025. The Los Angeles Police Department says he is being held without bail as the case is prepared for prosecutors. The teen, reported missing in 2024, was found in a severely decomposed state, and her cause of death has not yet been determined.

US singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a teenage girl whose remains were discovered inside his Tesla last year, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Authorities confirmed that the 21-year-old artist is being held without bail as the investigation advances, with the case expected to be formally presented to the District Attorney’s office on Monday for consideration of charges.
Police say the arrest is linked to the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who was reported missing by her family in April 2024. Her remains were later found on 8 September 2025 in a Hollywood tow yard after officials responded to reports of a strong foul smell coming from a vehicle. Court documents indicate that investigators discovered her decomposed body—consisting of a head and torso—inside a cadaver bag placed in the front boot of a Tesla registered to the singer’s address in Texas.
The discovery triggered a major criminal investigation that has unfolded over several months. Authorities have said the body was in an advanced state of decomposition, making it difficult to immediately determine the cause of death. The medical examiner has so far not ruled on how she died, noting that the condition of the remains suggested she may have been dead for several weeks before being found. Because of the complexity of the evidence, officials have continued to treat the case as a death investigation while forensic analysis continued.
In November, a judge ordered that all records relating to the teen’s death be sealed, a move intended to protect sensitive investigative information and ensure that investigators could fully review findings from the medical examiner before details became public. This decision also reflected concerns about maintaining the integrity of ongoing proceedings as the case developed toward a possible prosecution.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who lived approximately 75 kilometres from where her remains were discovered, had a history of running away from home, according to reports. Her disappearance in 2024 had initially been treated as a missing persons case. Neighbours and community members described her as a teenager who was occasionally seen in the area visiting local shops, and her disappearance went largely unresolved until the discovery of her remains a year later.
The case has attracted widespread public attention due to the disturbing nature of the discovery and the limited official information released over time. Online speculation intensified after the remains were identified, with some social media users attempting to link the victim to the singer based on alleged connections, including similarities between a tattoo found on the victim and markings reportedly associated with him. Authorities, however, have not publicly confirmed any such link as part of their findings.
Investigators say a grand jury began reviewing evidence in December, marking a significant escalation in the case. Court filings later indicated that D4vd had been identified as a “target” of the investigation, meaning prosecutors were considering him for possible charges, including murder. Additional legal documents also show that members of his family were called to testify before the grand jury as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Following the discovery of the body and the growing investigation, the singer largely withdrew from public appearances. He cancelled scheduled tours and lost several commercial partnerships, while authorities carried out searches at properties linked to him, including a residence in the Hollywood Hills.
D4vd has previously remained largely silent on the allegations, and representatives have said he has been cooperating with investigators. As the case moves toward formal review by prosecutors, it remains one of the most closely watched celebrity criminal investigations in recent months, with further details expected as court proceedings progress.