Singer D4vd, the real name of 21-year-old David Anthony Burke, has been taken into custody in connection with the demise of 15-year-old Celese Rivas Hernandez, whose remains was discovered in the trunk of a Tesla in September 2025. The Los Angeles-situated musician, who has amassed a considerable fanbase on online platforms via popular TikTok content, is presently being held without bail following the arrest based on alleged evidence and reasonable grounds. The arrest comes seven months after Hernandez’s body were found in an seized car in Los Angeles, with the case set to be presented to the LA District Attorney’s Office on Monday for filing consideration.
The Discovery and Early Inquiry
The body of Celese Rivas Hernandez was found in the front boot of a Tesla that had been left on a Hollywood street and subsequently impounded in Los Angeles. Authorities became notified about the vehicle after noticing a distinctive foul odour coming from the impound lot, where the Tesla had been held for two days. The discovery sparked an immediate inquiry that would eventually culminate in Burke being designated as a suspect in November 2025, though formal arrest proceedings would not take place until April 2026.
Investigators established that Hernandez’s remains had been cut into pieces, and initial assessments suggested that the disposal of her body likely involved more than one individual. The Tesla under investigation was registered to Burke, confirming a direct connection between the car and the accused. When the body was found, Burke was on tour promoting his music, with the shocking revelation prompting the swift cancellation of his remaining North American tour dates and his entire European leg.
- Body found in Tesla boot after foul odour identified
- Vehicle deserted on Hollywood street, seized for two days
- Remains displayed signs of mutilation, suggesting multiple perpetrators
- Tesla listed under Burke, forming crucial investigative link
From Suspect to Arrest
The seven-month interval between the finding of Celese Rivas Hernandez’s remains and the arrest of D4vd underscores the intricacy of the inquiry. Burke was initially named as a person of interest in November 2025, months after the teenager’s body was discovered in September. However, law enforcement needed substantial time to collect enough proof and demonstrate reasonable grounds before making an arrest. The LA Police Department has now assembled its case, which will be submitted to the DA’s Office on Monday for formal filing consideration and possible prosecution.
Burke’s arrest represents a significant development in a case that rocked the music world and his considerable fan base. The 21-year-old artist, who had built a sizable following through popular short-form videos, is currently being held without bail awaiting trial. The arrest was initially disclosed by ABC News and represents the culmination of months of investigative work by the Los Angeles Police Department, moving the matter toward possible charges and accountability for the victim’s loved ones.
Chronology of Events
The case started emerging in September 2025 when Hernandez’s decomposed body was located in the Tesla’s front boot. Burke was flagged as a suspect by November 2025, prompting the cancellation of his concert dates. The formal arrest occurred in April 2026, seven months after the initial discovery, with the District Attorney’s Office due to receive the case file on Monday for review of formal charges against the musician.
The Artist’s Background, plus Social Media Presence
D4vd, the professional moniker of 21-year-old David Anthony Burke, had established a substantial following across social media platforms, particularly on TikTok where his content went viral. The LA-based artist had cultivated a devoted fanbase through his online presence, utilising the platform’s reach to establish himself within the entertainment industry. His rise to fame was characteristic of the contemporary digital landscape, where musicians can attract substantial audiences without conventional label support or mainstream media exposure.
Burke’s detention has sent shockwaves through the influencer and entertainment sectors, with well-known streamers expressing their disbelief at the accusations. Pokimane and fellow prominent creators who had previously collaborated with Burke on content voiced surprise upon learning of his involvement in the matter. The artist’s swift decline from online prominence to major criminal allegations underscores the sharp divide between his public-facing identity and the seriousness of the charges he now is dealing with.
- Built significant presence on TikTok with considerable online following
- Partnered with prominent influencers including Pokimane on online broadcasts
- Established Los Angeles-based musical endeavours through online channels and online presence
Industry Response and Concert Cancellations
The finding of Hernandez’s body in September 2025 prompted an swift and thorough action from the entertainment industry. D4vd’s tour dates was swiftly dismantled, with all outstanding US and Canadian shows cancelled alongside the complete European portion of his tour. The swift action reflected the seriousness of the claims and the industry’s need to distance itself from the case. Concert halls, tour promoters, and other performers who had been linked to Burke’s tour obligations moved quickly to sever professional ties, acknowledging the profound gravity of the events connected to the teenager’s death and the implications for their own public standing.
The cancellations constituted a significant financial and professional blow to Burke’s burgeoning career. What had been a favourable path for the young musician came to an abrupt halt as the creative sector dealt with the disturbing character of the allegations. Entertainment figures and other online creators confronted challenging questions about their previous associations with Burke, whilst streaming services and performance spaces that had hosted his performances underwent investigation. The incident underscored the unpredictable nature of online celebrity and the serious repercussions when serious criminal allegations emerge against prominent online personalities.
| Event | Status |
|---|---|
| North American Tour Dates | Cancelled |
| European Tour Leg | Cancelled |
| Social Media Collaborations | Suspended |
| Professional Endorsements | Terminated |
What Comes Next
The Los Angeles Police Department will present its case to the LA District Attorney’s Office on 21 April 2026, marking a critical juncture in the prosecution’s efforts. The District Attorney will examine the evidence supporting probable cause that resulted in Burke’s arrest before deciding whether formal charges will be filed. This filing consideration represents the next important stage in the judicial process, as prosecutors must decide on the particular charges to pursue. The decision from the District Attorney’s Office will significantly affect the direction the case takes and the seriousness of charges Burke will face in court.
Burke stays in custody on remand as the judicial proceedings advances. The investigation into Hernandez’s death, which first indicated the participation of several people in the body’s disposal, may yet incriminate further individuals. Authorities will keep collecting evidence and carrying out interviews as the case moves forward in the courts. The weeks ahead will prove decisive in establishing the complete facts surrounding the teenager’s death and ascertaining the extent of Burke’s culpability in what has become one of the most striking incidents to come out of Los Angeles’s entertainment scene in the past few years.