The meteoric rise of David Burke, the 21-year-old American singer known globally as “d4vd,” hit a grim and definitive standstill on Thursday.
In a scene more reminiscent of a gritty crime drama than a pop star’s itinerary, the “Romantic Homicide” singer was escorted in handcuffs from his luxury Hollywood Hills estate to a cold cell at the LAPD 77th Street Station.
Burke was booked at 10:12 PM on suspicion of murder. He is currently being held without bail.
The operation was handled with the gravity of a high-profile target. Detectives from the LAPD’s elite Robbery-Homicide Division arrived at Burke’s residence Thursday afternoon.
Footage obtained by TMZ captures the stark contrast of the moment: the young artist, typically seen on festival stages, stood surrounded by law enforcement in the driveway of his home before being placed into a police vehicle.
The arrest follows a months-long investigation into the gruesome death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas, whose remains were discovered under horrific circumstances late last year.
The timeline of the investigation traces back to September 8, 2025. According to police reports, Rivas’ body was found “chopped up” inside a Tesla owned by Burke. The vehicle had been towed to a Hollywood impound lot, where staff eventually alerted authorities after a “decomposing smell” began emanating from the trunk.
While the physical evidence found in the vehicle was immediate and visceral, the LAPD has remained tight-lipped regarding a specific motive or the nature of the relationship between the singer and the young victim.
Burke has retained a formidable legal “dream team,” including high-profile attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter. In a joint statement, the defense took a combative stance against the current narrative:
“The actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez, and he was not the cause of her death. There has been no indictment returned by any grand jury and no criminal complaint filed. We will vigorously defend David’s innocence.”
The ball is now in the court of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors confirmed they are currently reviewing the facts and evidence compiled by the LAPD to determine if they will move forward with formal murder charges.
For now, the artist who built a career on moody, melancholic ballads finds himself at the center of a real-world tragedy that has left a 14-year-old girl dead and a fanbase in shock. If charged and convicted, the 21-year-old faces the prospect of life behind bars.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
David Burke, the 21-year-old sensation known globally as “d4vd,” was arrested at 10:12 PM on suspicion of murder on Thursday.
On September 8, 2025, according to police reports, Celeste Rivas’ body was found “chopped up” inside a Tesla owned by Burke.
