David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, is being held separately from the general population at an Los Angeles jail. This measure comes following his arrest on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old whose body was discovered in the singer's abandoned Tesla in September 2025. The stark reality of his detainment follows a protracted investigation, with charges only being filed recently, leading to questions about the timing.
The body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found in a Tesla registered to D4vd in September 2025. D4vd was arrested on April 16, 2026, on suspicion of murder and is currently held without bail.
Authorities revealed details of D4vd's apprehension, describing a tactical operation where LAPD officers descended upon a Hollywood Hills residence on Marmont Avenue. The singer, identified as inmate #7221640, was taken into custody around 5 p.m. on April 16th and booked into the 77th Street Community Police Station later that evening. This arrest follows a period of intense online speculation, fueled by the discovery of Rivas' remains and D4vd's subsequent silence and cancellation of tour dates.
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A Lingering Investigation and Family's Grief
The seven-month gap between the discovery of Rivas' body and the filing of charges has drawn scrutiny. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated that investigators required time to thoroughly examine evidence. Legal analysts have pointed to the challenges posed by a decomposed body, noting that such degradation can result in the loss of crucial evidence, like skin cell DNA.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who would have turned 15 the day after her remains were found, was reported missing multiple times before her death. Her family has begun to break their silence, with her mother previously alleging that Rivas was dating a man named David, and neighbors have established a memorial in her honor. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner officially ruled Rivas' death a homicide.
Background: The Discovery and the Silence
Rivas' severely decomposed body was located on September 8, 2025, in the singer's impounded Tesla at Hollywood Tow. Prior to her death, her disappearance had caused distress to her family in Lake Elsinore, California. Shortly after the discovery, D4vd canceled remaining tour dates and largely withdrew from public view, a move that coincided with resurfaced photos of him and Rivas, further fueling public conjecture. The singer's real name is David Anthony Burke. He has entered a plea of not guilty to the murder charges.
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