US Singer D4vd Faces Murder Charges in Teen Girl’s Disappearance

Los Angeles prosecutors have announced that D4vd, the 21-year-old musician whose real name is David Anthony Burke, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old who disappeared last year. Her partially decomposed body was discovered in September 2025 in the front trunk of a Tesla car linked to Burke’s Texas residence.

Three Charges Alleging Murder Motives

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office outlined three specific charges against Burke. The first accuses him of first-degree murder with special circumstances related to “lying in wait.” The second charge includes “murder for financial gain,” while the third alleges the killing of a witness involved in an investigation into Burke’s alleged sexual activities. Hochman, the district attorney, stated that Rivas Hernandez was targeted because she was “threatening his musical career” on the night of her disappearance.

“A parent’s nightmare is when your daughter goes out one night and never comes back,” Hochman remarked, emphasizing the emotional weight of the case.

Prosecutors also highlighted that Rivas Hernandez was a witness to sexual acts committed by Burke, and the evidence points to multiple offenses involving a minor. The possibility of the death penalty is now under consideration for the case.

Investigation Delays and Evidence Challenges

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell addressed criticism over the handling of the case, noting that the discovery of the body in a Hollywood tow yard seven months after her death complicated the investigation. “My duty is not to fuel speculation. It’s to deliver justice,” he explained, adding that the time gap between her death and the discovery affected the clarity of the evidence.

“We had to be certain that nothing we did or said would jeopardise this case,” McDonnell said during a recent press conference.

According to Hochman, the investigation faced hurdles due to the need to interview several individuals, some of whom were cooperative and others not. “It’s the type of case that requires maximum information,” he noted, urging the public to provide any relevant details.

D4vd’s Musical Journey and Recent Actions

Known for moody, indie-pop tracks such as “Here With Me” and “Romantic Homicide,” D4vd gained attention as a teenager by sharing Fortnite gameplay videos. He later transitioned to music production, releasing his debut EP “Petals To Thorns” in 2023. That year, he was featured on Variety’s Young Hollywood list and performed with SZA on her SOS tour. His debut album, released in April 2025, has amassed 22 million monthly listeners on Spotify and nearly four million TikTok followers.

Burke was arrested last week and remains in custody without bail. His attorneys have denied the murder allegations, stating, “actual evidence in this case will show David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death.” The family of the victim has yet to make public statements, and the BBC is seeking further comments from Burke’s legal team.