American singer, d4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, was taken into custody in Los Angeles on Thursday on suspicion of involvement in the death of a 14-year-old girl, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Police said the case concerns Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who had been reported missing by her family in April 2025 from Lake Elsinore, a city about 120 kilometers southeast of Los Angeles. Her dismembered and severely decomposed remains were discovered on 8 September 2025, a day after her 15th birthday, in a cadaver bag which was inside the front boot of a Tesla that had been towed to a yard in Hollywood after reports of a strong odor.
Investigators said the vehicle was registered to an address associated with Burke. Court documents state that parts of the girl’s remains were found in the front compartment of the car. The Los Angeles County medical examiner reported that the body was severely decomposed and did not immediately determine a cause of death, pending further investigation.
Burke, 21, is being held without bail. Police said the case is expected to be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, where prosecutors will decide whether to file formal charges.
In a statement provided to U.S. media, Burke’s lawyers, Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter said:
“Let us be clear, 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.”
They added:
“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.”
Authorities have not publicly described the nature of any relationship between Burke and the victim. The girl’s family members told local media that she had mentioned plans to meet the singer before she went missing, but investigators have not confirmed this.
The case has been under review for several months. A grand jury in Los Angeles began hearing evidence in December 2025, and Burke had been identified in court filings as a target of that investigation. His father, Dawud Burke, challenged a subpoena related to the proceedings in a Texas court, where additional details about the inquiry became public.
Before his arrest, Burke had largely withdrawn from public appearances. He canceled a planned international tour following the discovery of the body and was removed from several commercial partnerships. His representatives had previously said he was cooperating with authorities.
Burke rose to prominence in 2022 through music released online, including the song Romantic Homicide. He has since gained a large following on streaming platforms and social media.
Police have not released further details about the evidence in the case. The investigation remains ongoing.
