Summary (tl;dr)

Musician David Burke, known as D4vd, is currently undergoing a preliminary hearing in Los Angeles on charges of first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and unlawful mutilation of human remains in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose dismembered body was found in his car.

Essential Background

Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old from Lake Elsinore, California, was reported missing by her parents multiple times in early 2024. Prosecutors allege she was involved in a sexual relationship with David Burke, also known as the musician D4vd, since November 2023, when she was 13 and he was 18. On April 23, 2025, Celeste reportedly traveled to Burke's Hollywood Hills residence, and she was never seen or heard from again. Her heavily decomposed and dismembered remains were discovered on September 8, 2025, inside the front trunk of an impounded Tesla Model X registered to Burke at a Hollywood tow yard. An autopsy later determined that Celeste died from multiple penetrating injuries, and her death was ruled a homicide. David Burke was arrested on April 16, 2026, on suspicion of her murder.

The Full Story

David Burke (D4vd) was formally charged in April 2026 with first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains, to which he has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors contend that Burke murdered Celeste Rivas Hernandez to prevent her from exposing their alleged sexual relationship, which they claim would have jeopardized his burgeoning music career. They further allege that Burke attempted to conceal the crime by purchasing items like chainsaws, a body bag, and a burn cage under a fake name to dispose of her body, and by sending text messages to Celeste after her death to feign ignorance of her whereabouts. A preliminary hearing in the case began on July 21, 2026, in Los Angeles County Court, where prosecutors are presenting graphic evidence, including gruesome photos of Celeste's dismembered body and body camera footage of Burke. The judge presiding over the hearing will determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed to a full trial. Adding to the complexity, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office has publicly commented on the unusual delay in releasing Celeste's cause of death due to a security hold, advocating for greater transparency in such investigations.

Why It Matters

This case has garnered significant public and media attention due to the involvement of musician David Burke (D4vd) and the horrific nature of the alleged crimes. The charges against Burke, which include special circumstances such as murder committed for financial gain, lying in wait, and murdering a witness, make him eligible for severe penalties, potentially including life imprisonment without parole or the death penalty. The proceedings bring to light serious allegations of child sexual abuse, premeditated murder, and extensive efforts to conceal a crime. The family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez is actively seeking justice for her brutal death. Furthermore, the public statements from the Medical Examiner's office regarding the security hold on the autopsy report have ignited discussions about the balance between investigative secrecy and public transparency in high-profile death investigations.

Geographic Location

• Lake Elsinore, Riverside County, California, United States (Celeste Rivas Hernandez's hometown, where she was reported missing)
• Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States (David Burke's residence where Celeste was allegedly murdered and the Tesla was parked)
• Hollywood Tow Yard, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States (where Celeste Rivas Hernandez's remains were discovered)
• Los Angeles County Court, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States (location of legal proceedings, including the preliminary hearing)