U.S. musician D4vd has been taken into custody on suspicion of the murder of a 14-year-old girl whose decomposed remains were discovered last year in an apparently abandoned Tesla registered under his name and later towed from the Hollywood Hills, as stated by the police on Thursday. While the singer’s legal team asserted his innocence, Los Angeles authorities confirmed that the 21-year-old alt-pop artist, born in Houston as David Anthony Burke, is being held without bail pending the presentation of a case to the District Attorney’s Office for potential charges on Monday.
In response to the allegations, defense attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter emphasized in an email that the evidence would demonstrate David Burke’s innocence in the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The Los Angeles Police Department indicated that investigators are due to present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for review, while the office mentioned its awareness of the arrest and stated that its major crimes division will assess the evidence for potential charges.
The defense counsel further stated, “No grand jury indictment has been issued in this matter, and no criminal complaint has been lodged. David is solely detained on suspicion, and we will vigorously support his innocence.” This marks their initial public commentary on the subject, with Burke’s identification as a suspect occurring only upon his arrest and subsequent detention without bail.
The musician had been under scrutiny by an L.A. County grand jury regarding the passing of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Although the investigation was officially confidential, it came to light on Feb. 25 when his family contested subpoenas demanding their testimony in a Texas court, leading to a judge’s order for their appearance in California.
Despite numerous requests for comments on the case, representatives for the singer have not engaged with The Associated Press. The discovery of Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s remains occurred on Sept. 8, 2025, one day after what would have been her 15th birthday. Initially reported missing by her family in 2024 from Lake Elsinore, approximately 112 kilometers southeast of Los Angeles, she was identified as 14 years old at the time of her demise based on court records.
Court documents highlighted that investigators examining the 2023 Tesla Model Y found a cadaver bag in a tow yard, emitting a strong decay odor and infested with insects. Further inspection revealed a decomposed head and torso within the bag, alongside severed limbs in a separate bag. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the severe decomposition of Rivas Hernandez’s body, noting a significant period since her passing, but the cause of death remains undisclosed following a court order preventing the release of autopsy details.
Despite ongoing performances post-discovery, D4vd ultimately canceled his U.S. and European tour dates following widespread reports linking him to the case.