In brief
D4vd, a popular indie-pop singer, has been charged in connection with the suspected murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Her remains were found decomposed in a Tesla linked to the artist last year, prompting police investigations. Burke's lawyers maintain his innocence and claim he is only being held under suspicion as the investigation continues.
Singer D4vd Arrested on Suspicion of Murdering Teenage Girl
US singer D4vd has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a teenage girl who went missing last year, police say.
The star, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, was the target of a grand jury investigation into the apparent murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were found in his Tesla in September.
The Los Angeles Police Department said on Thursday that the 21-year-old was being held without bail, and the case will be presented to the District Attorney's office on Monday.
In a statement to US media, Burke's lawyers said: Let us be clear - actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death.
They added: There has been no indictment returned by any grand jury in this case and no criminal complaint filed. David has only been detained under suspicion.
Police earlier said they had arrested Burke for the murder of Celeste Rivas.
Questions had begun mounting since the discovery on September 8 of the 14-year-old's remains in a Hollywood tow yard after authorities received reports of a foul odor coming from the vehicle.
Investigators found her decomposed head and torso in a cadaver bag in the front boot of a Tesla car registered to D4vd's address in Texas, according to court documents.
The county's medical examiner stated that the body was severely decomposed, deferring the ruling on the cause of death pending further investigation, suggesting she may have been deceased for several weeks prior to the discovery.
No cause of death has been announced, with authorities focusing solely on a death investigation for months.
A judge ordered that the teen's death records be sealed in November, ensuring that officers received information from the medical examiner before the public.
Rivas Hernandez lived about 75 miles from where her body was found and had last been reported missing by her family in April 2024. Neighbors recognized her as a girl who frequently visited the corner store for candy and soda.
The lack of information surrounding her death has sparked speculation, igniting online discussions about her potential connections with D4vd.
A grand jury began hearing evidence in the case in December, and Burke's arrest marks a significant development after months of investigation.
The artist had been silent about the case until now but has been represented by lawyers who claim he was cooperating with authorities. Meanwhile, his family had been summoned to testify before the grand jury, with new details emerging from court filings.
Burke has previously received attention for his music career, with tracks like Here With Me and Romantic Homicide gaining traction following his rise on platforms like Spotify and TikTok.
