Singer D4vd is currently the focus of a Los Angeles County grand jury investigation concerning the death of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose dismembered remains were discovered last year. Court filings reveal the investigation centers on whether D4vd, legally named David Anthony Burke, “may be involved” in Hernandez’s death.
Hernandez was reported missing in 2024 from Lake Elsinore, California. Authorities believe she “may have been the victim of foul play,” according to the filings. While D4vd has been identified as a suspect by an LAPD source, he has not been arrested or formally charged with any crime.
The investigation has extended to D4vd’s parents, Colleen and Dawud Burke, who reside in Texas. Both were subpoenaed to appear before the grand jury on . Dawud Burke was requested to testify as a witness.
The grim discovery of Hernandez’s remains occurred on , at a Hollywood tow lot. Employees at the lot alerted police to a “strong smell of decay” and the presence of flies emanating from D4vd’s Tesla. Upon inspection, detectives found a black cadaver bag containing a decomposed head and torso within the vehicle’s front trunk. A second bag containing additional dismembered body parts was also recovered.
The Tesla had been impounded after being abandoned on a Los Angeles street in August. The Department of Transportation issued a citation before the vehicle was taken to the tow lot. Notably, D4vd was on tour at the time the car was impounded, according to court documents.
The circumstances surrounding the discovery prompted D4vd to cancel the remainder of his U.S. Tour in September.
The investigation has been marked by a degree of opacity. Prosecutors sought Dawud Burke’s testimony, offering to cover travel expenses and provide protection from arrest during his trip to California. However, Burke’s legal representation challenged the subpoena, arguing it was unlawful due to a lack of access to unredacted supporting documents, claiming a denial of due process.
Details emerging from the case paint a disturbing picture. Investigators believe the dismemberment and disposal of Hernandez’s body likely involved more than one person, and have been in contact with individuals they believe have knowledge of the events. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has yet to determine the official cause and manner of death, a determination investigators believe is critical for potential arrests and charges.
Reports circulating in November 2025, suggesting Hernandez’s body was frozen or decapitated when found, have been refuted by the LAPD.
D4vd’s representatives have not responded to multiple requests for comment. In September, a spokesperson stated the singer was “fully cooperating with authorities,” though a police source reportedly told NBC Los Angeles that D4vd has not been cooperative with the investigation.
The case remains active, with the grand jury investigation ongoing. The timeline of events, from Hernandez’s disappearance to the discovery of her remains and the subsequent investigation, highlights the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the case. The pending determination of the cause of death by the Medical Examiner will be a pivotal moment in the pursuit of justice.
