The criminal case against indie pop singer David Anthony Burke, professionally known as D4vd, has become one of the most closely watched homicide investigations involving a rising music star in recent years. Prosecutors allege that Burke murdered 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, concealed the crime for months, and left behind a trail of forensic, digital and physical evidence that investigators say tells the story of what happened.
Burke, however, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His defense has stated that the evidence will show he did not cause Celeste’s death. As the criminal proceedings continue, the allegations presented by prosecutors remain unproven in court.
According to verified reporting from Reuters, The New York Times, CNN, and official court filings, prosecutors have outlined what they describe as an extensive body of evidence that includes DNA findings, an autopsy, digital records, online purchases, Tesla vehicle data and trace forensic evidence. Together, investigators argue, these findings form the backbone of their case.
This case has been covered in detail as it developed from the earliest stages of the investigation. To know more, read our article Investigation Surrounding Music Star D4vd Draws National Attention After Teen’s Death
Timeline of the D4vd murder case according to prosecutors
| Date | Event | Official Details |
| Around 2022 | Burke allegedly meets Celeste | Prosecutors say she was 11 years old. |
| Around Sept. 2023 | Alleged relationship begins | Prosecutors allege a sexual relationship started when Celeste turned 13. |
| April 22, 2025 | Text argument | Prosecutors allege Celeste threatened to expose the relationship. |
| April 23, 2025 | Alleged killing | Prosecutors say Burke arranged transportation to his Hollywood Hills home before fatally stabbing her. |
| May 2025 | Alleged concealment | Prosecutors allege dismemberment and evidence disposal efforts began. |
| Sept. 8, 2025 | Remains discovered | Body found inside Burke’s impounded Tesla. |
| Sept. 17, 2025 | Garage searched | Investigators collected DNA and other forensic evidence. |
| April 16, 2026 | Burke arrested | Taken into custody in Hollywood Hills. |
| April 2026 | Charges filed | Burke charged with murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains. |
| Mid-2026 | Ongoing proceedings | Burke remains held without bail after pleading not guilty. |
A person connected to Burke has also faced separate legal action tied to this same investigation. To know more, read our article Friend of Singer D4vd Arrested on Warrant as Teen’s Death Investigation Intensifies
Prosecutors allege the relationship began years before Celeste’s death
Celeste Rivas Hernandez, from Lake Elsinore, California, was born around September 7, 2010 or 2011 and would have turned 15 around September 7–8, 2025. Family accounts indicate she had been reported missing earlier, with reports varying on the exact timeline around 2024.
Burke, born around 2004 or 2005, had built a rapidly growing music career under the name D4vd, earning millions of followers across social media platforms including TikTok. His career included a Fortnite anthem and the release of his debut album Withered on April 25, 2025.
A separate account has compiled the timeline and case facts as they’ve emerged through court proceedings. To know more, read our article BOMBSHELL: State v. D4VD — Inside the Celeste Hernandez Death Investigation Timeline
According to prosecutors, Burke met Celeste when she was 11 years old. Court filings allege that a sexual relationship began after her 13th birthday around September 2023 and continued thereafter. Prosecutors say digital evidence—including text messages, photographs recovered from electronic devices and iCloud accounts, and alleged child sexual abuse material—supports charges of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14.
A related piece has also tracked the broader investigation as it moved through the courts. To know more, read our article Celeste Rivas Hernandez Case: Inside the Ongoing Murder Investigation Linked to Singer D4vd
The alleged killing and what investigators say happened afterward
According to prosecutors, events escalated following an argument through text messages on April 22, 2025. Court filings allege Celeste threatened to expose the relationship, something prosecutors argue could have damaged Burke’s music career.
The following evening, April 23, 2025, prosecutors allege Burke arranged an Uber or rideshare to bring Celeste from Lake Elsinore to his Hollywood Hills residence, where records indicate she arrived at approximately 10:10 p.m.
Other cases have also relied heavily on independent forensic findings to challenge or support official conclusions. To know more, read our article Nolan Wells Independent Autopsy Update: Ben Crump Reveals New Findings as Mississippi Investigation Enters Critical Phase
Investigators allege Burke stabbed Celeste shortly after she arrived. Prosecutors further claim she was never heard from again and that Burke continued sending text messages from her phone afterward to create the impression she was still alive.
Court filings further allege that, during the weeks that followed, Burke took extensive steps to conceal the crime. Prosecutors say he purchased items including chainsaws, an inflatable pool, body bags, a shovel and a burn cage, frequently using the false name “Victoria Mendez” for online purchases delivered to his residence.
According to prosecutors, dismemberment occurred around May 5, 2025, inside the garage, with the inflatable pool allegedly used to contain blood. The remains were allegedly placed into bags before being stored inside the front trunk, or frunk, of Burke’s Tesla.
Investigators also allege that specific fingers—including the victim’s left ring finger, which reportedly bore a tattoo of Burke’s name, and the left pinky finger—were amputated and never recovered.
Discovery inside the Tesla became a turning point in the investigation
The case remained unresolved until September 8, 2025, when authorities discovered badly decomposed human remains inside Burke’s impounded Tesla after reports of a foul odor from the abandoned vehicle.
According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, identification was ultimately confirmed through dental radiograph comparison, as decomposition prevented fingerprint identification.
The remains were found inside separate bags within the vehicle’s frunk. The head and torso were inside a black zippered cadaver bag, while the limbs had been placed beneath in a garbage bag.
Court proceedings later included graphic photographs shown during the preliminary hearing. According to reporting from the courtroom, the decomposition was so advanced that some attendees reportedly looked away as images were displayed on courtroom monitors.
Autopsy findings became a critical piece of the prosecution’s case
The Medical Examiner completed the autopsy on December 9, 2025, with the report publicly released in April 2026.
The official cause of death was determined to be multiple penetrating injuries, and the manner of death was ruled homicide.
Among the most significant injuries documented were:
- A penetrating wound approximately 1.5 inches deep to the right upper abdomen that perforated the liver.
- A penetrating wound measuring at least 2 inches deep to the left chest, passing through intercostal spaces and disrupting adjacent ribs, although the left lung remained intact.
The report also documented bilateral dismemberment of both upper and lower extremities. The left ring and pinky fingers were absent, while additional skin defects and abrasions could not be fully interpreted because of advanced decomposition.
The victim was found wearing a tube top containing multiple holes, underwear, black leggings cut around the knees, black socks, a yellow metal stud earring, and still bore the “Shhh…” tattoo on her right index finger.
Toxicology testing performed on liver tissue detected a low ethanol level that investigators said may have resulted from postmortem changes or ingestion and was not considered a contributing factor. Initial screening suggested possible benzodiazepines, methamphetamine and MDMA, but confirmatory testing was largely negative or inconclusive because interfering substances prevented definitive conclusions.
Because the body remained inside the vehicle for months, the Medical Examiner noted severe decomposition limited parts of the forensic examination.
DNA, blue plastic fragments and digital evidence strengthened the investigation, prosecutors say
Following the recovery of the remains, investigators searched Burke’s Hollywood Hills garage on September 17, 2025.
According to prosecutors, biological samples recovered from the garage matched Celeste’s DNA profile.
Investigators also recovered remnants of a blue inflatable pool that allegedly contained multiple linear cuts. Forensic analysts reported that blue plastic fragments embedded within the victim’s cut surfaces physically matched pieces from that same inflatable pool.
Prosecutors argue this represents a direct physical connection between the remains and the alleged dismemberment location.
Beyond physical evidence, investigators also point to an extensive collection of digital evidence. Court filings reference approximately 40 terabytes of electronic material, including text messages, phones, iCloud records, Tesla vehicle data and wiretap evidence.
Authorities also allege the victim’s passport was later recovered in Santa Barbara County, supporting their theory that Burke made additional trips while attempting to dispose of evidence.
A separate forensic re-examination has also reopened questions in a decades-old death case. To know more, read our article New 2026 Forensic Report Challenges Kurt Cobain Suicide Ruling, Reigniting Murder Debate After 32 Years
Charges, courtroom proceedings and what happens next
Burke was arrested on April 16, 2026, in Hollywood Hills.
He has been charged with:
- First-degree murder.
- Continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14.
- Unlawful mutilation of human remains.
The murder charge also includes special-circumstance allegations that prosecutors say involve lying in wait, financial gain tied to protecting his career and murdering a witness to her own alleged abuse. Burke is being held without bail.
A former substitute teacher’s own case involving explicit messages to a minor recently ended in a prison sentence.
To know more, read our article From Promising A Cappella Star to Prison: The Shocking Downfall of Substitute Teacher Cassidy Carter after sending daily nudes and disgusting messages to a 14-year-old student
During preliminary proceedings, prosecutors described the combined forensic, DNA, digital and trace evidence as a roadmap for trial. The defense continues to dispute the allegations and maintains Burke did not cause Celeste’s death.
The case remains ongoing, and no verdict has been reached. All allegations presented by prosecutors are expected to be tested during future court proceedings as the trial moves forward.
A television actor has also recently faced serious child sex abuse charges tied to a production set. To know more, read our article Timothy Busfield Charged With Child Sex Abuse on The Cleaning Lady New Mexico Set: Full Timeline, Allegations, and Legal Fallout
Source: LA Times
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