When Los Angeles police arrived at a Hollywood vehicle impound lot on September 8 to investigate reports of a foul odor emanating from an abandoned Tesla, they made a grim discovery that would soon capture international attention: human remains concealed in the car's trunk, later identified as 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
The victim had been reported missing months earlier from Lake Elsinore, California, prompting a search that ultimately connected to David Burke—a 21-year-old American singer performing under the stage name D4vd. Burke achieved viral fame on TikTok in 2022 with the song "Romantic Homicide," a track that accumulated millions of views and helped launch his music career. By 2026, he had secured concert bookings across North America and Europe, including performances scheduled at venues in Oslo and Copenhagen.
Burke was arrested on suspicion of murder, with prosecutors filing formal charges that included murder with special circumstances, body mutilation, and sexual conduct with a minor. According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, which is handling the case, prosecutors alleged that Burke committed the murder to protect his career and that the offense occurred during Rivas's visit to his residence.
Rivas's remains were found in advanced decomposition when discovered at the impound lot, suggesting she had been deceased for approximately seven months before her body was located. The discovery prompted immediate media coverage both in the United States and internationally, particularly in Scandinavia, where Burke's cancelled concert dates had been widely promoted.
For international observers unfamiliar with the American legal system, special circumstances charges in California homicide cases are significant: they can result in enhanced sentencing or, in serious cases, capital punishment, though the latter has been subject to moratoriums in recent years. The inclusion of such charges indicates prosecutors believe aggravating factors surrounded the alleged crime.
Burke's legal defense team entered a plea of not guilty to all charges. The case was set to return to court within weeks of the charges being formally filed, according to statements from prosecutors at the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office.
The case has drawn comparisons in true crime circles to other instances of young entertainers facing serious criminal allegations—a phenomenon that has occurred across multiple countries and music genres. It also underscores the sometimes rapid nature of social media fame and its potential complications in the lives of very young public figures.
