Singer D4vd Arrested in Murder of 14-Year-Old Celeste Rivas Hernandez

Singer D4vd has been arrested in connection with the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was found in the trunk of a Tesla registered to him in September 2025. The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed the arrest on April 16, 2026, stating that the 21-year-old artist, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, is being held without bail. The case will be presented to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office on April 20, 2026, for filing consideration.

Celeste Rivas Hernandez was reported missing in April 2024 after running away from her home in Lake Elsinore, California. Her remains were discovered on September 8, 2025, inside the front trunk of an impounded Tesla vehicle linked to Burke. Authorities noted the advanced state of decomposition indicated she had been deceased for weeks prior to the discovery. At the time of her death, she was wearing a tube top, black leggings, a yellow metal stud earring, and a yellow metal chain bracelet.

Burke, known for his indie pop music and songs such as “Romantic Homicide” and “Here with Me,” released the album Withered in 2025 and had announced plans for a world tour across North America and Europe. Following the discovery of Rivas Hernandez’s body, photographs allegedly showing the two together surfaced. Her mother stated that her daughter had a boyfriend named “David,” and that Rivas and Burke had matching tattoos. Her brother told NBCLA that she went missing after Burke picked her up in his Tesla.

Prior to his arrest, Burke’s representatives told NBC News that he had been informed of the investigation and was “fully cooperating with the authorities.” However, after his arrest on April 16, 2026, no public comment has been issued from his legal team or representatives. The LAPD has confirmed the case remains under active investigation, with additional details expected as proceedings advance.

The arrest has drawn significant attention due to Burke’s rising profile in the music industry and the high-profile nature of the case. As the legal process moves forward, the entertainment community continues to monitor developments in a case that has intersected celebrity culture with a tragic loss of life.