Charges Pending After singer D4vd’s Arrest Connected to Murder of Teen Girl

Months after a 14-year-old girl’s body was discovered inside a towed SUV, alt-pop singer D4vd has been arrested in connection with the case, according to authorities.

The 21-year-old artist, whose legal name is David Burke, was taken into custody Thursday on suspicion of murder in the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, police in Los Angeles said. Investigators did not identify Burke as a suspect in the case previously.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman and LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell will hold a 10 a.m. press conference to discuss the case.

Hernandez was reported missing when she was 13-years-old by her family in 2024.

Her body was discovered on Sept. 8, 2025, the day after she would have turned 15, in an abandoned car that was registered to Burke.

The body was discovered due to a strong smell. A bag was found in the car, covered with insects. Upon opening the bag, authorities discovered a decomposed head and torso.

 The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office investigators stated that the limbs had been severed, and in a second bag found dismembered body parts.

Burke was on tour when the body of Hernandez was discovered.

Detectives are expected to present their findings to prosecutors on Monday, when officials will determine whether formal charges will be filed. Burke’s legal team has publicly maintained 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,” Burke’s legal team said. “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. We will vigorously defend David’s innocence.”

Burke is currently held without bail.