U.S. artist D4vd has been taken into custody under suspicion of being involved in the death of a 14-year-old girl whose decomposed remains were discovered in a seemingly abandoned Tesla registered to him and towed from the Hollywood Hills last year, as confirmed by the police on Thursday. The 21-year-old alt-pop singer, born in Houston and legally known as David Anthony Burke, is currently being held without bail by Los Angeles police. Authorities plan to present their findings to the District Attorney’s Office for potential charges on Monday.
In response to the allegations, defense attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter stated via email that the evidence in the case will demonstrate David Burke’s innocence regarding the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office acknowledged the arrest and mentioned that their major crimes division will review the case to assess the evidence for possible charges.
The defense team emphasized that no formal charges have been brought against David Burke, and he is only being detained under suspicion. They expressed their commitment to vigorously defending his innocence. This marks their first public statement on the matter, following authorities refraining from publicly naming Burke as a suspect until his arrest.
The investigation into the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez had been ongoing, with D4vd identified as the focus of a grand jury inquiry by L.A. County. The inquiry was shrouded in secrecy until it was disclosed on February 25 when Burke’s family contested subpoenas requiring their testimony in a Texas court. A Texas judge mandated their appearance in California for testimony, rejecting their attempt to ignore the subpoenas.
Despite multiple requests, representatives for the singer have not provided comments to The Associated Press regarding the situation. The body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez was discovered on September 8, 2025, one day after what would have been her 15th birthday. Initially reported missing by her family in 2024 from Lake Elsinore, approximately 112 kilometers southeast of Los Angeles, she was identified as 14 years old at the time of her death based on court documents.
During a search of the 2023 Tesla Model Y at a tow yard, investigators uncovered a cadaver bag emitting a strong odor of decay and infested with insects. Upon inspection, a decomposed head and torso were found within. Further examination revealed severed limbs in a second bag concealed beneath the initial cadaver bag. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the severely decomposed state of the body and the dismemberment.
In November 2025, a court order was obtained by the Los Angeles police to prevent the release of the autopsy results by the chief medical examiner, leaving the cause of death undisclosed. D4vd, amidst a U.S. tour, proceeded with several performances following the discovery of the body before ultimately canceling the remaining shows and an upcoming European tour as his connection to the case gained widespread attention.