LOS ANGELES (AP) — Singer D4vd has been arrested on suspicion of killing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose decomposed body was found in his supposedly abandoned Tesla seven months ago, authorities confirmed on Thursday. The musician, whose legal name is David Burke, was arrested just as his legal team publicly asserted his innocence amidst the intensifying investigation.
Los Angeles police stated that homicide detectives apprehended the 21-year-old artist, who gained fame for his indie rock hits like Romantic Homicide. His defense attorneys assert that the evidence will prove his innocence. 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, they emphasized in a public statement.
Following the arrest, police indicated that investigators would present their case to prosecutors at the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office soon. Meanwhile, the District Attorneys Office confirmed their awareness of the arrest and noted that the Major Crimes Division will determine if sufficient evidence exists for formal charges.
At the time of her disappearance, Celeste was a 13-year-old seventh grader whose family reported her missing from Lake Elsinore in late 2024. Tragically, her body was located in a vehicle registered to D4vd in Los Angeles, leading to intense scrutiny of the singer, who was on tour when the body was discovered.
According to court documents, investigators found disturbing evidence inside the vehicle including a cadaver bag with decomposed remains, alongside severed body parts. The case remains sensitive amidst ongoing investigations and awaits a detailed evaluation of the evidence next week.
D4vd is recognized among Gen Z audiences and rose to fame on platforms like TikTok. His recent success, however, is now overshadowed by this shocking investigation as he navigates the legal ramifications of his arrest.
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