Singer D4vd Charged With Murdering 14-Year-Old Girl Whose Dismembered Body Rotted for Months
David Burke, 21, known as alt-pop singer D4vd, allegedly began sexually abusing Celeste Rivas Hernandez starting at age 13 — a pattern of abuse spanning at least a year from September 2023 to September 2024.
Celeste, then 14, ran away from her home in Lake Elsinore, nearly 70 miles southeast of Los Angeles. On April 23, 2025, Burke allegedly invited her to his Hollywood Hills home.
Prosecutors allege that when Celeste threatened to expose their relationship as Burke’s music career was rising, he killed her with a sharp object inside his home — then mutilated her body 2 weeks later.
On September 8, 2025, Celeste’s dismembered and badly decomposing remains were discovered stuffed in 2 bags inside the trunk of Burke’s Tesla — impounded after being reported abandoned at a tow yard.
Burke was on tour when the body was found. After his alleged involvement surfaced publicly, he canceled all remaining shows. He was finally arrested in Los Angeles after 7 months of public speculation.
At his Monday arraignment, Burke pleaded not guilty to all counts — including first-degree murder, child sexual abuse, and mutilation. He was denied bail and now faces either the death penalty or life in prison without parole.
