Who is D4vd and why is he famous?

D4vd (David Anthony Burke, 21) is an American singer-songwriter known for viral TikTok hits Romantic Homicide (2022) and Here With Me (2023), both with billions of streams on Spotify. Signed with Columbia Records 2022. Performed at Coachella 2024.

Who was Celeste Rivas Hernandez and what happened?

Celeste was a 14-year-old from Lake Elsinore, California. She visited Burke's Hollywood Hills home April 23, 2025 — last time heard from. Reported missing in Riverside County. Her decomposed body was found September 8, 2025 in the front trunk of Burke's Tesla at LA impound.

What exactly is D4vd charged with?

On April 20, 2026, LA DA Nathan Hochman announced charges: (1) First-degree murder. (2) Lewd and lascivious acts with person under 14. (3) Mutilating a body. Max sentence: life without parole or death penalty. Burke pleaded not guilty to all counts.

What has the defense said?

Burke's attorneys at Steinfeld Law: 'The actual evidence will show David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and was not the cause of her death.' Defense strategy centers on challenging causation given body decomposition over ~5 months before discovery.

How has this affected D4vd's music career?

Columbia Records terminated the contract September 2025. Spotify/Apple Music kept songs but removed from editorial playlists. Concerts cancelled, collaborators cut ties. Ongoing debate in music community about ethics of consuming art during criminal investigation.

Crime Report · Los AngelesUpdated April 21, 2026

— A Young Life Cut Short —

D4vd Charged with Murder of Celeste Rivas, 14-Year-Old Girl

Published: April 21, 2026

Singer D4vd (David Burke, 21) formally charged with first-degree murder April 20, 2026. Body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, 14, found in his Tesla.

D4vd pleads not guilty to first-degree murder in Los Angeles court April 20 2026 — Photo: ABC7 / LA Courts — D4vd pleads not guilty to first-degree murder charge, April 20, 2026

Case Record

DefendantDavid Anthony Burke (D4vd), 21

VictimCeleste Rivas Hernandez, 14

Charge dateApril 20, 2026

ProsecutionLA County DA Nathan Hochman

Charge 1First-degree murder

Charge 2Lewd acts with person under 14

Charge 3Mutilating a body

Max sentenceLife without parole / death penalty

PleaNot guilty (all counts)

Key Takeaways

01D4vd charged with first-degree murder, lewd acts with under-14, body mutilation
02Celeste Rivas Hernandez, 14, disappeared April 23, 2025
03Body found September 8, 2025 in Burke's Tesla at LA impound
04Max sentence: life without parole or death penalty
05Burke pleads not guilty; defense denies causation

Case Timeline

Apr 23, 2025

Celeste Rivas visits Burke's Hollywood Hills home. Last time she is heard from.

May-Aug 2025

Family reports Celeste missing in Riverside County. Initial investigation yields no leads.

Sep 8, 2025

Celeste's decomposed body found in front trunk of Burke's Tesla at LA impound.

Sep-Oct 2025

Columbia Records drops D4vd. Concerts and collaborations cancelled.

Nov 2025 - Apr 2026

Extended forensic investigation. Autopsy and DNA testing.

Apr 17, 2026

D4vd arrested. News leaks to public April 17.

Apr 20, 2026

DA Hochman formally announces charges. Burke enters not-guilty plea.

Expected mid-2026

Next preliminary hearing. Prosecution presents evidence.

From TikTok to Los Angeles Court

D4vd booking photo and defense attorney Steinfeld Law — Photo: ABC7 — LA County DA's Office (left) and Steinfeld Law Firm (right)

David Anthony Burke, born 2004, grew up in Queens, New York. He started his music career posting short clips on TikTok in 2021. 'Romantic Homicide' — a haunting melody with bleak lyrics about toxic love — became a viral phenomenon in late 2022. Spotify and Apple Music placed it on top playlists. Columbia Records signed him in 2022. In 2023-2024, D4vd released the 'Petals to Thorns' EP, collaborated with many artists, and performed at Coachella and Lollapalooza.

Stifling irony: the hit that brought D4vd to the top ('Romantic Homicide') is about imagined lover's murder. The international music fan community is fiercely debating ethics of art vs artist — whether to continue streaming this song. This raises bigger questions about how the entertainment industry handles artist crises in the social media age.

Legal Process Ahead

DA Nathan Hochman press conference announcing D4vd charges — Photo: ABC7 / KABC — LA County DA Nathan Hochman press conference

Next steps: (1) Preliminary hearing expected mid-2026, where prosecution presents sufficient evidence to advance to criminal court. (2) If the case proceeds, main trial could begin late 2026 or 2027. (3) Jury selection — lengthy process in high-profile cases, requiring unbiased jurors. (4) Trial could last several weeks with forensic expert testimony, witnesses, and arguments. Similar California cases (Michael Jackson, OJ Simpson) averaged 6-12 months from preliminary to verdict.

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Accurate information compiled about the D4vd - Celeste Rivas case.

By Duy Vu · Gaming & Esports Editor

Published: April 21, 2026

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