A singer who has gained fame on TikTok is facing serious scrutiny after the dismembered remains of a missing teenage girl were found in the trunk of his abandoned Tesla. The artist, known as D4VD—simply pronounced “David”—was in the midst of his first world tour when the tragic discovery was made in California’s Hollywood Hills, where the body of 15-year-old Celesteri Bas Hernandez was discovered while he was preparing for a concert in Minneapolis.
Who is D4VD?
David Anthony Burke was born on March 28, 2005, in Queens, New York, although his family later relocated to Houston, Texas. The artist initially ventured into music as a way to avoid copyright issues with Fortnite videos he shared on YouTube. He started in a modest setup, recording tracks in his sister’s closet using just his phone and some music production apps, but quickly shifted to a professional studio as his TikTok popularity soared.
How did he become famous?
Burke rose to fame after gaining traction on TikTok with his song “Romantic Murder,” released in 2022. He crafted an image as a relatable teen, drawing from his interests, which included popular anime and video games. His career took off slowly but surely, culminating in his debut EP released in May 2023, featuring “Here With Me,” a track that has amassed around 1.5 billion streams on Spotify.
Burke’s recent momentum saw him opening for SZA on the SOS tour and booking another performance with her in Toronto this December. Additionally, one of his latest songs, “Remember Me,” was featured in the animated show “Arcane,” further solidifying his rise in popularity. He currently boasts over 2.1 million followers on Instagram.
What happened?
Things took a dramatic turn when Celeste’s dismembered body was found. Celeste, who had been reported missing since last year at age 13, was discovered wrapped in plastic within the Tesla. Identification proved challenging due to the horrific condition of the remains, which were first reported after a “foul smell” emanated from the vehicle.
Despite working with authorities, Burke continued his tour initially but subsequently canceled a performance in Seattle. Reports noted a striking tattoo on Celeste’s fingers that read “shhh…”; however, this design is fairly common, sported by various celebrities. Adding to the intrigue, Celeste’s mother revealed that her daughter once dated someone named David.
The unfolding mystery has resulted in some companies distancing themselves from Burke, with brands like Crocs and Hollister dropping him as their representative shortly after he was announced as the face of their collaboration.
As of yet, Burke has not publicly commented on the situation.
