D4vd Arrested For The Murder Of Celeste Rivas, Months After Teen’s Remains Were Found In His Tesla

After months of investigation regarding the mysterious death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the LAPD has made a major breakthrough. The case has taken a deeply disturbing turn as rising artist D4vd (David Anthony Burke) has now been arrested in connection with the 14-year-old missing teen’s murder, months after her remains were discovered in an abandoned Tesla registered in his name.

D4vd’s arrest confirmed after months of investigation into Celeste Rivas’ murder

Celeste’s decomposing and dismembered body was found on September 8, 2025, inside the front trunk of a Tesla registered to the singer. The car was reportedly standing abandoned in the Hollywood hills at a tow yard for five days before the discovery, until neighbours impounded it after reporting a foul odour coming from the car. The shocking discovery followed a lengthy and highly secretive investigation.

While David was initially reported to be cooperative with the LAPD, his attitude reportedly changed as the investigation unfolded. Law enforcement officials later confirmed that the Romantic Homicide singer had been a central figure in the investigation for the months leading up to his arrest.

On Thursday, April 16, 2026 (ET), the 21-year-old singer was arrested in Los Angeles and is currently held without bail in connection with the teen’s murder. LAPD PIO released a statement on X (Formerly Twitter) following the arrest:

“Detectives from Los Angeles Police Department, Robbery-Homicide Division have arrested David Burke, a 21-year-old resident of Los Angeles, for the murder of Celeste Rivas.  Burke is being held without bail… The case will be presented to the District Attorney’s office on Monday for filing consideration.”

What happened to Celeste Rivas Hernandez?

Celeste was a teen from California who reportedly went missing from her home in Lake Elsinore. According to police reports and accounts from her former teacher, she ran away multiple times throughout 2024 before going missing. The teen first disappeared in January 2024 and was later found in the Hollywood Hills, before going missing again in April. She was only 13 when she went missing and often relied on fake IDs to move around on her own, as per her friends’ accounts.

Celeste’s disappearance remained a mystery for over a year, until the horrifying discovery in 2025, just a day after what would have been her 15th birthday. According to reports, the officials found her dismembered remains in multiple cadaver bags inside the vehicle, in an advanced state of decomposition. Due to the condition of the body, it became difficult to determine the exact cause of death.

The case quickly escalated into a homicide probe, with grand jury proceedings and sealed documents pointing to David as a potential suspect, and he was also alleged to be the late teen’s lover. The investigators had previously found objects from David’s Hollywood Hills home that could be potential murder weapons, but the core investigation has remained largely under wraps. Authorities even restricted the release of autopsy details. 

From what is known about the case, the developments have included a secret grand jury examining witness testimonies and evidence, subpoenas issued to David Anthony Burke’s family (which the family tried to block), and reports suggesting the involvement of more than one individual in the murder. 

Now held without bail, D4vd will be presented before the District Attorney’s office, where formal charges will be considered.

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