The arrest marks a major escalation in a case that has gripped public attention since September 2025. Los Angeles police confirmed that Burke is being held without bail on suspicion of murder. The case is expected to be presented to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office for formal charging consideration on Monday, April 20.
Timeline of the Celeste Rivas Case
The investigation into the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez has been a complex, multi-year saga involving missing person reports, forensic challenges, and a secret grand jury.
April 2024: 13-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez is reported missing from her hometown of Lake Elsinore, California.
January 2025: A private investigator later confirms the last “evidence of life” for Celeste occurred around this time.
August 2025: Parking officials in the Hollywood Hills ticket a 2023 Tesla Model Y that residents believe has been abandoned.
September 8, 2025: One day after Celeste would have turned 15, her severely decomposed remains are found in the Tesla after it was towed to Hollywood Tow. Workers were alerted by a “foul odor” coming from the vehicle.
February 2026: Court documents filed in Texas by Burke’s family reveal that the singer is the “target” of a secret grand jury investigation.
April 16, 2026: LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division arrests David Burke (D4vd) for the murder.
Chilling Forensic Details
Newly released court documents and reports from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner have revealed the gruesome nature of the crime.
The Discovery: Investigators found a cadaver bag in the Tesla’s front storage compartment (the “frunk”) covered in insects.
Dismemberment: Police discovered that the victim’s arms and legs had been severed from her body and placed in a separate black bag underneath the primary cadaver bag.
Evidence: Search warrants served at Burke’s home on Doheny Drive in September 2025 resulted in the seizure of electronics and computers.
Social Media Backlash
Following the news of the arrest, D4vd’s Instagram and TikTok accounts have been flooded with comments.
The “Tesla” Reference: Many users have posted GIFs and comments referencing the Tesla where the body was found, with some commenters expressing relief that a “reckoning” has finally arrived.
Family Outcry: Celeste’s family has been vocal about their pursuit of justice, noting that Burke allegedly picked her up in his car before she vanished. Reports suggest the two had a relationship and matching tattoos.
The Road Ahead
Burke has retained high-profile criminal defense attorney Blair Berk. His management at Darkroom/Interscope Records has effectively frozen his career, which previously reached heights with hits like “Romantic Homicide” and his performance at Coachella 2025.
If charged and convicted, the singer faces a potential life sentence.