LOS ANGELES (AP) — A man has been charged with murder in connection with the tragic death of a 14-year-old girl who was last seen alive nearly a year ago. Her body was found mutilated and decomposed in an abandoned Tesla this past September, according to prosecutors.
This news was shared by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. The man, identified as 21-year-old David Burke, known professionally as d4vd, faces a first-degree murder charge in the case of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Celeste was reported missing by her family in 2024 at the age of 13, and prosecutors noted she was 14 at the time of her death.
The murder charge includes several special circumstances, such as lying in wait and committing a crime for financial gain—these could potentially lead to a death penalty. Officials have yet to announce if they will pursue this option. In addition to murder, Burke faces allegations regarding lewd acts with a minor and mutilation.
Following his arrest at home in Hollywood, Burke’s lawyer issued a statement asserting his innocence, saying, “The actual evidence will demonstrate that David Burke did not kill Celeste Rivas Hernandez.” They have not provided any commentary on the charges as of yet.
District Attorney Nathan Hockman referred to the case as a “parent’s nightmare,” revealing that Celeste’s last court date was set for April 23, 2025. He mentioned that she had gone to Burke’s residence in the Hollywood Hills and vanished.
The remains of Rivas Hernandez were discovered in a Tesla that was being towed from the Hollywood Hills on September 8, just a day after she would have celebrated her 15th birthday. Her family had filed a missing person report from her hometown of Lake Elsinore, located about 70 miles southeast of Los Angeles.
Authorities only named Burke as a suspect after his arrest. His lawyers have indicated that they would defend his innocence vigorously, which was the first public comment from them regarding the matter.
Investigators were looking into Burke’s activities under the scrutiny of a Los Angeles County grand jury. Although the investigation was supposed to be confidential, its existence was made known in February when his family contested subpoenas in a Texas court.
The Tesla involved was registered under Burke’s name at a family member’s Texas address, as outlined in court documents. The vehicle appeared neglected and was being towed from a ritzy part of the Hollywood Hills.
During a search of the vehicle, police found a body bag that was “covered in insects and emitted a strong odor of decomposition,” according to the documents. Inside the bag, they discovered the head and torso of the victim.
Further investigation revealed that the arms and legs had been severed from the body, with additional dismembered parts found in another bag. The cause of death has not been publicly disclosed, and authorities have asked a judge to withhold autopsy details. As of Friday, the medical examiner confirmed that a court order remains in place regarding this information, although an autopsy report is expected to be released “soon.”
The family of Celeste has chosen to remain private and has not issued any statements concerning her death or the situation surrounding it.
“I had the chance to meet some of Celeste’s family members, and their grief is unimaginable,” Hochman commented.
Burke, known as d4vd, has gained a following among Gen Z for his unique mix of indie rock, R&B, and lo-fi pop. He garnered significant attention on TikTok in 2022 with his song “Romantic Homicide,” which reached No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. He later signed with major labels and produced his debut EP “Petals to Thorns” and its sequel “The Lost Petals” in 2023.
Even after the discovery of the body, he continued his North American tour but subsequently canceled the last two shows and a planned European tour amid mounting speculation of his involvement.
