On April 20, 2026, David Burke, a 21-year-old artist known as “d4vd,” entered a not guilty plea in court for first-degree murder and various other charges related to the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The shocking allegations arose from the grim finding of her dismembered body on September 8, 2025, in the trunk of Burke’s Tesla, just days before she would have turned 15.
Burke was arrested last Thursday in Los Angeles, facing multiple serious charges including murder with special circumstances and continuous sexual abuse of a minor under 14. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell mentioned that Hernandez, a runaway from Riverside, had been missing since 2024 and was believed to have been involved in a relationship with Burke.
Investigators suspect that Hernandez was murdered around April 23, 2025, shortly after arriving at Burke’s home in Hollywood Hills, marking the last time she was seen alive. Prosecutors claim her body was dismembered approximately two weeks later.
“As a parent of three, I can say that every parent’s nightmare is when a child goes out for the night and never returns,” said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hockman in a press conference.
McDonnell added that the significant delay between the girl’s death and the discovery of her body meant critical evidence may have been lost or damaged, complicating the investigation due to prevalent misinformation.
Hockman stated that prosecutors are pursuing three enhancements to the murder charge, which include allegations of ambush, killing a witness to the investigation, and financial gain. The theory here is that Burke may have killed Hernandez to protect his music career, which she allegedly threatened on the night of her death. Prosecutors suggest that the murder aimed to silence claims of sexual misconduct against him.
Furthermore, the criminal complaint indicates that Burke may have assaulted the girl during the time he cohabited with her. He potentially faces a life sentence or even the death penalty, though Hockman mentioned the decision about the death penalty would be made later.
Authorities found Burke’s abandoned Tesla after receiving complaints about a suspicious odor. Upon searching the vehicle, they discovered a body bag filled with human remains. Inside were a head and torso, while the coroner later confirmed that the victim’s limbs were severed. Additional remains were also recovered from the car.
Interestingly, the Tesla is registered in Burke’s name at a Texas address. He initially gained recognition in 2022 with a viral hit on TikTok but saw his career come to a pause after the discovery of Hernandez’s remains.
Evidence of their connection includes a photograph from June 2024 showing Hernandez backstage at one of Burke’s sold-out concerts. A private investigator later uncovered further images of the two together during performances in late December 2024 and early January 2025.
In response to the charges, Burke’s legal team released a statement asserting their commitment to proving his innocence. “The actual evidence will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and was not responsible for her death,” the statement emphasized.
