US music star D4vd has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a teenage girl whose remains were discovered in his Tesla last year, in a case that has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and beyond.
Police confirmed that the 21-year-old artist, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, is being held without bail as prosecutors prepare to present the case to the District Attorney’s office. The arrest follows months of a grand jury investigation into the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Authorities say the investigation escalated after her decomposed remains were found in September inside a Tesla linked to the singer. The discovery was made after reports of a foul smell coming from a vehicle at a Hollywood tow yard, prompting a detailed forensic examination.
Investigators reportedly found the teenager’s remains inside a cadaver bag in the front compartment of the vehicle. Court documents indicate the car was registered to an address associated with Burke in Texas, intensifying scrutiny around his connection to the case.
Police have not yet confirmed a cause of death, with the medical examiner deferring conclusions due to the condition of the body. Officials have said the teenager may have been dead for several weeks before being discovered.
In a statement through his legal team, Burke’s lawyers denied the allegations, insisting he did not cause the girl’s death and would be cleared when evidence is fully examined. They also noted that no formal indictment has been issued and emphasized that he is being held on suspicion only.
“The actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez,” the statement read, while urging restraint as the legal process unfolds.
The case has drawn intense public attention due to the singer’s rising profile in recent years. Known for viral hits such as “Romantic Homicide,” D4vd built a large fanbase through social media before breaking into mainstream music charts.
Authorities say a grand jury began hearing evidence in December, and recent developments—including testimony from members of the singer’s family—have added momentum to the investigation.
Public fascination around the case has also grown due to unanswered questions surrounding the victim’s disappearance and the circumstances of the discovery. Investigators have described the probe as ongoing and complex.
D4vd has largely remained silent publicly, although earlier reports indicated he had been cooperating with authorities. Following the discovery of the body, he reportedly cancelled his tour and stepped away from public appearances as scrutiny intensified.
The case is expected to be formally reviewed by prosecutors in the coming days, marking a critical turning point in one of the most closely watched celebrity criminal investigations in recent months.
