BREAKING NEWSHollywood Horror Story: Singer D4vd Arrested for Murder of 14-Year-Old Girl Whose Decomposing Body Was Found in His Tesla
Celeste Rivas Hernandez's body was found inside of D4vd's Tesla at a tow yard in September 2025 — more than a year after she went missing.
April 16 2026, Updated 11:56 p.m. ET
"Romantic Homicide" singer D4vd has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the 2024 slaying of Celeste Rivas Hernandez — whose body was found decomposing inside the artist's Tesla.
On Thursday, April 16, the singer, born David Anthony Burke, was taken into police custody at his Hollywood Hills home in connection with the ongoing murder investigation of the 14-year-old girl, a law enforcement source with knowledge of the case informed the Los Angeles Times.
D4vd's lawyers insist he is innocent.
He is reportedly being held without bail and not authorized to speak publicly.
Hernandez's dead body was discovered rotting inside Burke's car in Hollywood after being reported missing from her home in Lake Elsinore, Calif., in 2024. In records from the county medical examiner's office, the young girl was initially listed as Celeste Rivas, though it was later updated with her full name Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Reports claim the victim was just 13 when she went missing and 14 when she was killed.
The teenager's case began as a missing person investigation, with some early reports suggesting familial concern about her whereabouts in February 2024 — though she wasn't officially reported missing until April 5, 2024.
Police did not finding her severely decomposed body inside Burke's Tesla until September 8, 2025, at Hollywood Tow, where it was brought after being impounded.
Detectives discovered her remains after being called to the tow yard to investigate a foul odor emanating from the vehicle registered to the "Here With Me" singer.
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'We Will Vigorously Defend David’s Innocence'
Celeste Rivas Hernandez's decomposing body was found one day before what would have been her 15th birthday, per reports.
Police insiders not authorized to speak publicly about the case told the L.A. Times that Burke’s Tesla had been abandoned in the Hollywood Hills five days before it was impounded.
Burke’s attorney’s insist they "will vigorously defend David’s innocence.”
'David Burke Did Not Murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez'
D4vd's lawyers claim 'evidence' will 'show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
"Let us be clear – the actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death," lawyers Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter said in a statement Thursday. “There has been no indictment returned by any grand jury in this case and no criminal complaint filed. David has only been detained under suspicion."
While Burke was not officially charged with murder as of Thursday, the LAPD confirmed the case will be presented to the District Attorney’s office on Monday, April 20, for filing consideration.
