American singer D4vd has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of a teenage girl whose decomposed body was discovered last year in the trunk of an abandoned Tesla, Los Angeles authorities announced Thursday (April 16).
The artist, aged 21, known for the piece “Romantic Homicide” and whose real name is David Anthony Burke, is being held without bail, according to a statement from the Los Angeles Police Department.
Police said the case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on Monday, April 20, and the Major Crimes Division will review the case.
The artist’s lawyers said they were ready to defend them “firmly” innocence.
“Let’s be clear — the actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not kill Celeste Rivas Hernandez,” the artist’s lawyers said. They emphasized that there is no formal indictment or criminal complaint filed against him, according to NBC News.
The remains of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez were discovered on September 8, 2025 in the trunk of a Tesla vehicle registered to rising American rapper D4vd. The police were alerted due to a strong smell coming from the vehicle.
According to the investigation documents, in one body bag the head and torso were found in a state of decomposition, and in a second bag there were other dismembered body parts.
The exact cause of death is not yet known. The coroner’s office previously said it could not release details of the cause and manner of death due to a police restriction.
The teenager had been reported missing in 2024 from Lake Elsinore, a town southeast of Los Angeles.
David Anthony Burke was on tour when the remains were discovered “Withered World Tour”. A spokesperson said at the time that the artist was aware of the situation and was cooperating fully with the authorities.
