Singer David Anthony Burke, who performs as D4vd, is accused of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez and sexually abusing her since she was 13, prosecutors said [1, 2, 3, 4].
Celeste’s dismembered body was found in September 2025 in the trunk of Burke’s Tesla near the day she would have turned 15 [1, 2, 3]. The autopsy reported severe decomposition, making the exact time of death difficult to determine [3, 4]. Authorities say Burke killed her around April 23, 2025, which was also the last date of communication between them [2].
Text messages recovered from Burke’s iPhone show a sexual relationship and discussions about pregnancy and abortion beginning when Celeste was 13 [1, 2, 3, 4]. Prosecutors allege Burke started contacting Celeste when she was 11 and began abusing her at age 13; Burke was 18 or 19 at that time [1, 2]. Photographs presented during a July 24 preliminary hearing included explicit images between Burke and Celeste, with LAPD detective Corey Farrell testifying about the evidence [2, 3, 4].
Celeste was reported missing from Lake Elsinore, California on February 14, 2024, about fourteen months before her remains were discovered [1, 2]. Prior texts showed Burke apologizing and discussing abortion with her by early 2024, as well as plans involving marriage later that year [1, 2].
Burke has been charged with seven counts including first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and mutilation of remains [1]. He pleaded not guilty to all charges [1, 3, 4]. His lawyer questioned if the victim could have been holding the weapon in court [4]. Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman commented on the difficulty of the case, saying, "I just think it’s too much" [2].
Following the discovery of Celeste’s remains and Burke’s arrest in April 2026, his touring career halted and he withdrew from public life [1].
The next scheduled event in the case is the upcoming trial, where prosecutors will present detailed evidence from communications and forensic reports to support charges against Burke.
