US musician D4vd has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of a teenager who went missing last year. The singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, is accused of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose decomposed remains were found in September inside a Tesla registered at his Texas address.
Burke, aged 21, is also facing charges of murder with an intent for financial gain and for murdering a witness to an ongoing investigation, according to the Los Angeles district attorney.
After his arrest last week, Burke's legal team declared that actual evidence will prove his innocence, asserting that he had no role in Rivas Hernandez's death.
The case highlights tragic circumstances, as District Attorney Nathan Hochman recounted that Rivas Hernandez disappeared on April 23, 2025, after visiting Burke's home in the Hollywood Hills.
The investigation revealed the teenager's dismembered remains, found in a black bag in the car, leading to significant outrage and concern within the community.
Hochman described the incident as a parent's worst nightmare. He announced three significant charges against Burke: first-degree murder with special circumstances of lying in wait, murder for financial gain, and the murder of a witness, claiming Rivas Hernandez was a potential witness in an investigation involving Burke.
Potentially, the district attorney's office may push for the death penalty due to the brutal nature of the crime.
Burke remains in custody and is set to be arraigned in downtown Los Angeles soon. The investigation and the case’s details are proceeding under close public scrutiny as Rivas Hernandez's family has yet to make a public statement.
Burke gained fame as a musician with indie-pop hits such as Here With Me and Romantic Homicide, garnering millions of listeners on platforms like Spotify since his debut EP released in 2023.
