Up-and-coming singer D4vd, known for his viral R&B pop hits, is facing a first-degree murder charge in the death of a 14-year-old girl — months after a decomposed and dismembered body was found in the trunk of his Tesla on September 8, 2025.
D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, is charged with first-degree murder in the killing of Celeste Rivas Hernandez — with additional charges of sexual abuse, lewd and lascivious sexual acts with an individual under 14 years old, and mutilation of human remains — the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday.
Rivas Hernandez was last seen by her family in 2024, when she was only 13. She was described Monday by officials as a “runaway” and was 14 when she was allegedly killed by the 21-year-old singer. During Monday’s press conference, prosecutors alleged D4vd killed Rivas using a sharp object on or around April 23, 2025, according to the Associated Press. She went to the singer’s house in the Hollywood Hills on that date and was never heard from again. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman alleged that D4vd mutilated her body about two weeks later. Months later, on September 8, her body was found decomposed and dismembered in two bags in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to D4vd.
“The condition of her remains delayed the medical examiner’s ability to be able to determine cause of death,” Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said Monday at the press conference. “Despite these obstacles and despite intense public pressure, our robbery homicide division detectives remained steadfast in their duties. They recovered and analyzed a substantial amount of digital and forensic evidence. They stayed focused, disciplined, and committed to uncovering the truth.”
Hochman said during the news conference that the murder charges included special circumstances, which he explained were lying in wait, committing a crime for financial gain, and murdering the witness in an investigation — charges that could result in the death penalty.
“These charges include the most serious charges that a DA’s Office can bring, first-degree murder with special circumstances,” Hochman said.
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Hochman said evidence will show in court that the financial gain in this case is D4vd’s lucrative music career, and because Rivas Hernandez was a “witness” to something, killing her eliminated the risk that she could talk. Hochman said that D4vd was under investigation for the lewd and lascivious sexual acts, and Rivas was the witness to this. Per TMZ, the DA suggested that Rivas Hernandez had threatened to go to police or go public regarding their sexual relationship, so he invited her over and then killed her — which led to the “lying in wait” charge.
“I’m a parent of three children, and a parent’s nightmare is a situation where your daughter goes out one night and never comes back,” Hochman said.
An attorney for the singer told TMZ, “We are disappointed but not surprised that the District Attorney made this decision. David’s family stands behind him 100%.”
D4vd was arrested last week at his Hollywood Hills home after lying low for months. He canceled the remainder of his “Withered World Tour” after Rivas Hernandez’s remains were found.
It’s not clear yet whether the DA’s office will seek the death penalty, and Hochman said that would be decided at a later date. The coroner’s report is expected to be made public as well.
D4vd pleaded not guilty hours after the charges were filed, and demanded an immediate preliminary hearing, TMZ reported on Monday.
