Rapper D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, has been formally charged with first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Authorities announced the charges on April 20, 2026, nearly a year after the teenager’s remains were discovered in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke.
According to Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, Celeste was last seen visiting Burke’s Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025. Prosecutors allege he murdered her, dismembered her body, and placed the remains in two bags inside the vehicle’s front trunk. The car was later impounded after being reported abandoned in the Hollywood Hills, where it had sat for over a month.
Hochman described the crime as “heinous and repulsive,” stating that Burke sexually abused Celeste repeatedly before her death. The case also includes special circumstance allegations of lying in wait, murder for financial gain, and murdering a witness in an investigation. Burke pleaded not guilty during his first court appearance in downtown Los Angeles on April 20, 2026.
The victim’s family expressed relief following his arrest, with Celeste’s father stating, “Celeste is still a child, under 14 years old, when David Burke allegedly engaged in repeated sexual acts with her.” He added that the arrest felt like justice for their daughter.
Since the discovery of Celeste’s remains on September 8, 2025, investigators have worked to build the case, including convening a grand jury and subpoenaing Burke’s associates. Defense attorneys maintain Burke’s innocence, asserting the evidence will show he did not cause her death.
The case has drawn national attention as a tragic intersection of youth violence and celebrity culture, highlighting ongoing concerns about the safety of minors in interactions with public figures.
