Prosecutors have charged 21-year-old artist David Anthony Burke, known professionally as d4vd, with the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office alleges that Burke, a bedroom pop artist with a multi-million-dollar record deal, killed the teenager in April 2025 to protect his career from being ruined by the disclosure of their relationship. Her dismembered remains were discovered in the trunk of his impounded Tesla on September 8, 2025, a day after she would have turned 15. Burke has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder with special circumstances, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and mutilating human remains.
Evidence Against David Anthony Burke Regarding the Death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez
The Timeline of a Relationship and a Murder Investigation
The investigation into the death of Rivas Hernandez reveals a relationship that began in 2022 when the victim was 11 years old. According to a nine-page brief laying out the evidence, the situation escalated in November 2023 when Burke, then 18, allegedly began sexually abusing the 13-year-old. Prosecutors state that Burke resided with, and had recurring access
to the teenager. In November 2023, the artist also made his late-night television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
where he performed his breakthrough hit, Romantic Homicide.
In the song’s music video, d4vd stands over the bloodied body of a woman in a white dress as he sings, In the back of my mind, I killed you / And I didn’t even regret it.
Authorities first became involved on February 17, 2024, after Rivas Hernandez was reported missing by her family. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department contacted Burke after identifying his phone number in her records and informed him she was a 13-year-old runaway. Burke reportedly stated he was unaware she was a minor or had been reported missing, and she returned home two days later. Prosecutors allege that even after the pair officially broke up in November 2024, they continued to communicate, and text messages suggest they allegedly continued to have sexual relations. In one text, Celeste wrote, all we do is have sex and just hang out man I want more than that for myself.
April 2025: The Final Dispute and Alleged Killing
April 2025: The Final Dispute and Alleged Killing
The tension between the two reached a breaking point on April 22, 2025, during a lengthy argument over text. According to the prosecution, Rivas Hernandez was jealous of d4vd’s relationship with other women and threatened to disclose damaging information
about their relationship to end his career and destroy his life. The artist had led her to believe they had a future together,
the brief stated.
On April 23, 2025—the date prosecutors believe the killing took place—Burke allegedly sent an Uber to transport Rivas Hernandez from her home in Lake Elsinore to his home in the Hollywood Hills. She was dropped off at approximately 10:10 p.m. Knowing he had to silence the victim before she ruined his music career as she had threatened, very soon after her arrival at his home, defendant stabbed the victim to death multiple times and stood by while she bled out,
the prosecution wrote. The brief notes, He had an emerging multi-million-dollar career already in progress. He also had multiple product endorsements which were highly profitable.
Post-Killing Actions and Evidence Disposal in Santa Barbara County
Prosecutors allege that in the days following the killing, Burke purchased “two chainsaws,” a “body bag,” and a blue inflatable pool. He also allegedly drove to an isolated area off SR-154 in Santa Barbara County, attempting to dispose of her property and destroy evidence. On April 24, 2025, Burke allegedly purchased a shovel from Home Depot that was delivered via Postmates, and on April 25, 2025, he released his debut album, “Withered.” The following night, he held an album release party before departing on an international tour in late July.
Legal Defense and the Spotify Release of MARCESCENCE
Legal Status and Digital Footprint
Following his arrest, Burke’s lawyer, Blair Berk, maintained his innocence, stating in a release that the evidence will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death.
While Burke sits behind bars awaiting trial, his digital presence has remained a point of confusion. On July 17, 2026, a track titled “MARCESCENCE” was released on Spotify. The song was scrubbed from the platform after approximately eight hours. It remains unclear if Burke had any involvement in the track’s release.
