The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office revealed on Wednesday that singer D4vd, also known as David Anthony Burke, allegedly murdered 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez by repeatedly stabbing her. The prosecution detailed in a court filing that D4vd had engaged in a sexual relationship with Rivas Hernandez since she was 13, and when she threatened to expose their inappropriate connection, he fatally attacked her to protect his music career.
Rivas Hernandez’s body was discovered decaying in a Tesla that was towed from the Hollywood Hills last September. Text messages between the victim and D4vd from the night before her disappearance indicated her distress over D4vd’s relationships with other women, leading to threats of exposing damaging information. Prosecutors claimed that D4vd purchased two chainsaws online to dismember Rivas Hernandez’s body in his garage, with evidence of her DNA found at the scene.
The court filing also mentioned that Rivas Hernandez’s body was so badly decomposed that her eye color could not be identified, and parts of her body were missing, including two fingers, arms, and legs. Prosecutors believe the dismemberment took place in Burke’s garage, where traces of the victim’s DNA were discovered. The autopsy report confirmed that Rivas Hernandez died from penetrating wounds.
Rivas Hernandez was reported missing by her parents from Lake Elsinore in February 2024. Despite initial contact with Burke, he claimed he was unaware of her age. Subsequently, Rivas Hernandez spent considerable time at Burke’s residence in the Hollywood Hills and accompanied him on trips to various locations. Burke has pleaded not guilty to the charges, with his defense team requesting to seal the court document, which was denied by the judge.
If you are in immediate danger or affected by family or intimate partner violence, please seek help through crisis lines and local support services.