D4vd, the U.S. artiste born David Anthony Burke, has been formally charged in connection with the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, in a case that has sent shockwaves through the music industry and beyond.
The 21-year-old musician was arrested at a residence in Hollywood on Thursday and is currently being held without bail. Prosecutors have filed multiple charges against him, including first-degree murder with special circumstances, lewd acts with a minor, and mutilation of a body. He pleaded not guilty during his first court appearance on Monday. Authorities say the case stems from a grand jury investigation into the death of Hernandez, whose remains were discovered in September 2025 inside a Tesla linked to the artiste. The vehicle had been towed from the Hollywood Hills after being found abandoned, with investigators later alerted by reports of a foul odor at a tow yard.
Hernandez had been reported missing in 2024 and was last seen in Lake Elsinore, roughly 60 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. According to the Los Angeles County medical examiner, her body had remained in the vehicle for an extended period before its recovery. At a press briefing, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman described the allegations as “brutal and horrific,” adding that the charges represent the most serious the office can bring. Officials also confirmed that a decision on whether to pursue the death penalty will be made at a later stage, as legal proceedings against the artist continue.
