Report: Singer May Face Murder Charge in Teen's Death

14-year-old's dismembered body was found in the trunk of Tesla registered to D4vd
Posted Dec 29, 2025 6:45 PM CST
Report: Singer D4vd May Face Indictment in Teen's Death
David Anthony Burke, aka d4vd, performs on the Casino stage during the 58th Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland, July 19, 2024.   (Cyril Zingaro/Keystone via AP, File)

R&B singer D4vd is expected to face a murder charge in the death of a 14-year-old girl whose body was found in a car registered to him, according to TMZ. The outlet, citing unnamed sources, reports that Los Angeles County prosecutors will ask a grand jury to indict the 20-year-old musician, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, in the killing of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Her dismembered remains were discovered Sept. 8 in the trunk of an abandoned Tesla SUV with Texas plates that was towed from the Hollywood Hills; the vehicle was registered to Burke.

A spokesperson for the LA County District Attorney's Office said Monday afternoon that no case had yet been filed, and officials have not announced any arrests, KTLA reports. TMZ says prosecutors, including veteran homicide prosecutor Beth Silverman, believe Burke was involved in the teen's death. An executive from his record label reportedly testified before a grand jury this month, but the DA's office has declined to discuss the closed-door proceedings or provide a timeline for any potential indictment. Burke, who was on tour at the time the body was found, canceled the remaining dates after news of the case broke and has not been charged in the four months since.

Online sleuths have pointed to possible links between Burke and Hernandez, including matching "Shhhh" tattoos and lyrics from a leaked track titled "Celeste_Demo unfin." His most popular song is called "Romantic Homicide." Hernandez's mother has said her daughter had a boyfriend named "David," and a reputed former teacher claimed the teen met the singer via social media. Authorities have not confirmed the nature of their relationship, and the Los Angeles Police Department has placed a security hold on medical examiner records.

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