The music industry and national news outlets are closely monitoring a developing criminal case in Los Angeles involving the rising indie-pop artist David Burke, known professionally as D4vd. Following an extensive investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division, the 21-year-old resident was arrested for the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Burke is currently being held without bail as detectives prepare to present their findings to the District Attorney’s Office.
Disturbing Discovery in Hollywood Hills
The investigation into the death of the Lake Elsinore teenager began under harrowing circumstances in September 2025. Authorities discovered Hernandez’s decomposed remains concealed within a plastic bag inside the front trunk of a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The vehicle, which appeared abandoned in an affluent Hollywood Hills neighborhood, was registered to Burke at his family’s permanent residence in Texas.
According to official reports, the intense summer heat in Los Angeles accelerated the decomposition process, making it difficult for investigators to immediately identify the victim. The recovery of the vehicle and subsequent forensic analysis led a Los Angeles County grand jury to probe deeper into the singer’s potential involvement, despite legal pushback from Burke’s immediate family regarding subpoenas for their testimony.
Legal Defense Maintains Innocence
Attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter, representing Burke, have issued a strong rebuttal to the allegations. In a joint public statement, the legal team asserted that the evidence will eventually exonerate their client, clarifying that Burke has not yet been formally indicted by a grand jury or charged via a criminal complaint.
“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,” the defense team stated, vowing to “vigorously defend” the musician against the suspicion that led to his detention.
Tracing the Disappearance of Celeste Rivas Hernandez
Celeste Rivas Hernandez was only 13 years old when she was reported missing from her hometown of Lake Elsinore, located roughly 70 miles from the site where her body was eventually found. A seventh-grade student at the time of her disappearance in 2024, Hernandez’s remains were located just one day after she would have celebrated her 15th birthday. Court records confirm she was 14 at the time of her death.
D4vd’s Meteoric Career Trajectory
Before his arrest, Burke had established himself as a prominent figure in the Generation Z music scene. His breakthrough came in 2022 when the haunting track “Romantic Homicide“ gained massive viral traction on TikTok, eventually reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. This success secured him a recording contract with Darkroom and Interscope Records.
Burke’s creative output continued with the release of his debut EP, “Petals to Thorns“, and a follow-up project, “The Lost Petals“, in 2023. Known for blending R&B with lo-fi pop, the singer’s career now stands at a standstill as the legal process unfolds.
This is a developing story. Lake Erie Times will provide updates as more information becomes available from the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office.
About the Author: William Strasmore is a dedicated news reporter for Lake Erie Times, providing Western New York with in-depth, impartial coverage of regional and national issues. With a background in investigative journalism, Strasmore focuses on uncovering the truth in complex community and political affairs.
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