Rising music star D4vd is now the focus of a Los Angeles County criminal grand jury investigation into the death of 14-year-ancient Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were discovered in the trunk of his Tesla last year. The singer, whose real name is David Burke, is described in court documents as “Target David Burke,” and is being investigated for potential involvement in a murder.
The investigation gained momentum after the discovery of Hernandez’s dismembered body on September 8, 2025, inside a Tesla registered to Burke. The vehicle had been towed from a street in Hollywood after a tow yard worker noticed a strong, decaying odor emanating from it, according to documents revealed in a legal challenge filed by Burke’s family in Texas.
When authorities opened the trunk, they found “a black cadaver bag covered with insects and a strong odor of decay,” the documents state. Investigators partially unzipped the bag and discovered “a decomposed head and torso.”
The grand jury subpoena seeks testimony from Burke’s father, mother, and brother, suggesting investigators are building a case against the musician. The probe began in November 2025, months after Hernandez’s body was found.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez, born September 7, 2010, was reported missing multiple times in the year leading up to her disappearance on May 24, 2024. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office reported she last contacted her family in May 2024. Surveillance footage and digital evidence indicated she was alive as recently as January 2025.
Photographs allegedly showing Burke and Hernandez together surfaced after her body was discovered, and Hernandez’s mother stated her daughter had a boyfriend named “David.” The pair similarly reportedly had matching tattoos.
D4vd rose to prominence with songs like “Romantic Homicide” and “Here With Me,” which explore themes of love and heartbreak. In 2025, he released the album Withered and announced a world tour. The investigation comes as the young artist was gaining significant traction in the music industry, highlighting the potential impact of these allegations on his career.
As of February 26, 2026, no criminal charges have been filed in connection with Hernandez’s death, and the investigation remains active.
