Singer, D4VD- Unofficially a suspect in death investigation of missing teen found in trunk
Mainstream media outlets such as TMZ are now confirming that singer D4VD (real name David Anthony Burke) is being viewed by law‑enforcement sources as a suspect in connection with the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The teens body was discovered in a severely decomposed state inside a black Tesla registered to Burke according to LAPD.
Timeline of Events
April 5, 2024 – Celeste Rivas Hernandez is first reported missing from Lake Elsinore, California.
August 27, 2025 – The Tesla registered to Burke is marked by parking enforcement, based on tire placement.
September 3, 2025 – A parking citation is issued for the Tesla, which is said to have violated a 72-hour parking ordinance.
September 5, 2025 – The Tesla is impounded by authorities.
September 8, 2025 – Human remains are found in a bag inside the front trunk of the impounded Tesla.
Mid-September 2025 – A search warrant is executed on a Hollywood Hills property previously occupied by Burke, according to Fox 9.
September 16–18, 2025 – The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner positively identifies the remains as Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
September 19, 2025 – Burke cancels the remainder of his U.S. tour.
Blues Clues 🔎
Celeste and Burke shared matching “Shhh” tattoos on their index fingers.
Unreleased, leaked track by Burke entitled, ‘Celeste’- about an apparent obsession he has with a girl of the same name.
‘One last dance’ music video where David’s alter ego, DVD, corroborates with two other individuals in putting a body in the trunk of a car.
Interview with D4VD describing his alter ego as “an evil version of himself that comes outs at different moments.” He goes on to say, “I would solve the murders that I was committing myself”
But is this just coincidence, or art imitating life? Courts view artistic expression through a constitutional lens: under the First Amendment and California’s Evidence Code, creative works are typically protected as free speech and cannot be used as character evidence to imply guilt unless prosecutors can prove a direct and specific relevance to the crime itself. In other words, a music video alone is usually not admissible to show someone’s propensity to commit violence. However, if investigators can establish that the art includes specific details uniquely tied to the real incident—details not publicly known, or indicative of planning—then portions of the work could become admissible as circumstantial evidence. This creates a delicate balance in California law: protecting artistic freedom while allowing potentially probative material when it crosses from expression into possible confession, motive, or intent.
In high-profile cases like this, it’s natural for the public to draw connections between an artist’s work and the allegations they face, especially when D4VD’s music videos depict scenes—such as acquiring tools, placing a body in a trunk, or simulating dismemberment—that mirror elements of the current investigation.
What’s Next?
As of now, the cause and manner of Celeste’s death remain undetermined. The death certificate lists her cause of death as “deferred,” indicating and medical examiners are still waiting on toxicology reports. A key piece of evidence for prosecution.
Toxicology could take up to 3-6 months in complex cases such as Celeste’s, and may extend significantly longer due to the level of decomposition.
It is important to note that, despite media reports calling Burke a suspect, the LAPD has not formally confirmed that designation.
What we’re witnessing instead is a wave of anonymous “insider” claims feeding major media outlets, creating an information vacuum where speculation spreads faster than facts.
The reality is that everyone—law enforcement, the public, the family, and yes, possibly even David himself—is grasping for clarity.
➡️Here is the official public statement from the LAPD regarding Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
➡️If you’d like to support Celeste’s family, you can do so by donating to the Help Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s Family GoFund Me.