The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office has filed murder charges against TikTok musician D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, for the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose decomposed body was found in the trunk of his car. Burke, 21, was arrested in April 2025 and faces charges of murder, sexual abuse of a minor, and mutilation of human remains.

Discovery of the Body in the Trunk

The body was discovered in September 2025 in the trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke that had been reported abandoned in the Hollywood Hills, while the vehicle had been towed to a storage lot due to its long period of inactivity and the presence of a foul odor. Upon inspection, authorities found the remains in black bags, in an advanced state of decomposition. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, the girl had been stabbed and then dismembered. Burke has pleaded not guilty.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the body was found in the front trunk of Burke’s Tesla, which had been in a tow yard after being reported abandoned in the Hollywood Hills near a house he had been renting. Burke’s lawyers have denied the allegations and stated that the evidence will prove he did not commit the crime.

Timeline and Background

Celeste Rivas Hernandez was reported missing in April 2024 and was known to have spent time with Burke before her death. The girl, from Lake Elsinore, had been a runaway and was seen in the company of the musician. The prosecution alleges that Burke dismembered Hernandez with chainsaws he ordered from Amazon. Burke’s arrest came after months of investigation, including a grand jury inquiry.

According to Vanity Fair, Burke was already a rising star with 33 million monthly listeners on Spotify and over 3.6 million followers on TikTok. His 2022 hit “Romantic Homicide” featured him standing over a dead woman in a music video. Burke had recently been on tour with SZA and had a canceled campaign with Crocs and Hollister. His career has been abruptly halted by the investigation into Hernandez’s death.

Current Status and Reactions

Burke remains in custody without bail, and the case is being reviewed for formal charges. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office has transferred the case to the Major Crimes unit for further evaluation. His defense team has stated that no grand jury has yet returned an indictment and no criminal complaint has been filed. According to rollingstone.de, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that detectives are investigating the death and that Burke is cooperating with authorities.

Mod brands Crocs and Hollister have paused their campaigns with Burke, removing content until the investigation concludes. According to Organización Mundial Bullying Sin Fronteras, Burke’s lawyers maintain that the evidence will prove his innocence and that he was only detained on suspicion. The medical examiner’s report remains sealed, and the case continues to attract widespread media attention and public interest.