Singer D4vd, the actual identity of 21-year-old David Anthony Burke, has been arrested in connection with the death of 15-year-old Celese Rivas Hernandez, whose remains was found in the boot of a Tesla in September 2025. The Los Angeles-based musician, who has amassed a substantial following on online platforms through viral TikTok videos, is currently being held on no bail after the apprehension founded upon reported evidence and probable cause. The arrest comes seven months after Hernandez’s body were found in an seized car in Los Angeles, with the case set to be presented to the LA District Attorney’s Office on Monday for prosecution review.
The Identification and Initial Investigation
The body of Celese Rivas Hernandez was discovered in the front boot of a Tesla that had been abandoned on a Hollywood street and subsequently impounded in Los Angeles. Authorities became alerted to the vehicle after noticing a distinctive unpleasant smell emanating from the impound lot, where the Tesla had been kept for two days. The discovery triggered an immediate investigation that would eventually result in Burke being designated as a suspect in November 2025, though official arrest procedures would not take place until April 2026.
Investigators concluded that Hernandez’s remains had been cut into pieces, and preliminary findings suggested that the removal of her remains probably required more than one perpetrator. The Tesla in question was registered to Burke, establishing a straightforward tie between the vehicle and the suspect. Upon discovery, Burke was on tour promoting his music, with the startling discovery leading to the swift cancellation of his final North American shows and his entire European leg.
- Body located in Tesla boot after unpleasant smell detected
- Vehicle left on Hollywood street, impounded for two days
- Remains showed signs of dismemberment, suggesting several offenders
- Tesla in the name of Burke, establishing key investigative link
From Person of Interest to Apprehension
The seven-month interval between the discovery of Celese Rivas Hernandez’s remains and the arrest of D4vd highlights the complexity of the investigation. Burke was first identified as a person of interest in November 2025, several months following the teenager’s body was found in September. However, authorities needed considerable period to collect enough proof and establish reasonable grounds before making an arrest. The LA Police Department has now assembled its case, which will be submitted to the DA’s Office on Monday for formal filing consideration and possible prosecution.
Burke’s arrest marks a major milestone in a case that shocked the entertainment industry and his substantial social media following. The 21-year-old artist, who had built a large audience through viral TikTok content, is presently detained in custody awaiting trial. The arrest was first reported by ABC News and constitutes the culmination of months of investigative work by the Los Angeles Police Department, moving the matter closer to possible charges and justice for the victim’s family.
Chronology of Events
The case began unfolding in September 2025 when Hernandez’s decomposed body was located in the Tesla’s front boot. Burke was flagged as a suspect by November 2025, prompting the cancellation of his concert dates. The formal arrest took place in April 2026, seven months after the initial discovery, with the District Attorney’s Office due to receive the case file on Monday for consideration of formal charges against the artist.
The Artist’s Background, plus Social Media Presence
D4vd, the professional moniker of 21-year-old David Anthony Burke, had established a considerable following across social media platforms, especially on TikTok where his content went viral. The LA-based singer had cultivated a loyal fanbase through his online presence, utilising the platform’s reach to carve out a niche within the entertainment industry. His ascent to prominence was characteristic of the modern digital age, where musicians can attract large followings without conventional label support or mainstream media exposure.
Burke’s arrest has created upheaval within the content creation and media sectors, with major influencers voicing their shock at the allegations. Pokimane and other popular streamers who had previously collaborated with Burke on projects registered dismay upon discovering his link to the allegations. The musician’s rapid fall from online prominence to grave legal accusations highlights the sharp divide between his online persona and the seriousness of the charges he now faces.
- Developed substantial audience on TikTok with substantial online following
- Collaborated with prominent influencers including Pokimane on online broadcasts
- Launched LA-based music career across digital platforms and online presence
Industry Response and Performance Postponements
The finding of Hernandez’s body in September 2025 triggered an immediate and comprehensive action from the entertainment industry. D4vd’s tour dates was rapidly cancelled, with all remaining North American dates cancelled alongside the complete European portion of his tour. The swift action demonstrated the severity of the allegations and the sector’s requirement to separate itself from the case. Venues, promoters, and fellow artists who had been linked to Burke’s tour obligations acted swiftly to break professional connections, acknowledging the profound gravity of the events connected to the teenager’s death and the consequences for their own reputations.
The cancellations amounted to a significant financial and professional blow to Burke’s rapidly expanding career. What had been a strong trajectory for the emerging artist came to an immediate standstill as the creative sector grappled with the shocking nature of the allegations. Entertainment figures and fellow content creators confronted challenging questions about their previous associations with Burke, whilst streaming services and performance spaces that had showcased his work underwent investigation. The incident highlighted the unpredictable nature of social media fame and the serious repercussions when grave criminal accusations emerge against well-known internet personalities.
| Event | Status |
|---|---|
| North American Tour Dates | Cancelled |
| European Tour Leg | Cancelled |
| Social Media Collaborations | Suspended |
| Professional Endorsements | Terminated |
What Comes Next
The Los Angeles Police Department will submit its case to the LA District Attorney’s Office on 21 April 2026, marking a pivotal moment in the prosecutorial process. The District Attorney will review the evidence and probable cause that resulted in Burke’s arrest before determining whether formal charges will be filed. This filing consideration represents the next important stage in the legal proceedings, as prosecutors must determine the specific charges to bring against Burke. The decision from the District Attorney’s Office will substantially influence the direction the case takes and the seriousness of charges Burke will encounter in legal proceedings.
Burke stays in custody on remand as the legal process advances. The enquiry regarding Hernandez’s death, which initially suggested the involvement of multiple individuals in the remains’ removal, may yet incriminate further individuals. Authorities will keep collecting evidence and carrying out interviews as the case progresses through the courts. The coming weeks will prove decisive in determining the full circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death and ascertaining the degree of Burke’s responsibility in what has become one of the most shocking cases to come out of Los Angeles’s entertainment scene in the past few years.