American singer-songwriter D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, has been officially identified as the “target” of a Los Angeles County grand jury investigation into the alleged murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Newly unsealed court documents from Texas, where the 20-year-old artist hails from, paint a harrowing picture of the case, including gruesome details about the discovery of the teen’s dismembered remains in a Tesla registered to Burke’s address.
The filings, which surfaced this week amid ongoing legal battles, confirm what sources close to the investigation had whispered for months: Burke is at the heart of the probe into Hernandez’s suspicious death, described in the documents as potentially involving “one count of murder.”
Prosecutors allege that Burke “may be involved in the death of 14-year-old victim Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who may have been a victim of foul play.” Despite this designation, no formal charges have been filed against the rising star, known for hits like “Romantic Homicide,” and he has not been arrested.
Representatives for Burke have previously stated that he is cooperating with authorities, though recent updates suggest a more combative stance from his family.
The case traces back to September 8, 2025, when workers at a Hollywood tow lot reported a foul odor emanating from an impounded Tesla sedan.
Upon inspection, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) investigators made a macabre discovery: Hernandez’s decomposing body, dismembered and stuffed into two separate bags in the vehicle’s front storage compartment, commonly known as the “frunk.” One bag contained her head and torso, while the other held additional body parts, according to the court petitions.
The car had been towed from a street in Hollywood after being abandoned, and records linked it to an address associated with Burke in Texas.
Hernandez, who would have turned 15 just a day before her remains were found, had been missing since the spring of 2024, according to her family. They reported that she left home to see a movie with Burke and never returned, sparking a desperate search that went cold for over a year.
The timeline has raised haunting questions about how long her body may have been concealed and why it surfaced in such a public yet overlooked location. LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division took over the investigation, initially classifying it as a suspicious death before escalating it to a potential homicide.
By November 2025, anonymous sources within law enforcement had leaked Burke’s status as a “person of interest” to outlets like NBC and TMZ, though officials refrained from public confirmation at the time.
Grand jury proceedings commenced in the fall, shrouded in secrecy as is customary for such inquiries. The panel’s focus sharpened earlier this month when subpoenas were issued for Burke’s family members—his parents, Dawud and Colleen Burke, and his brother, Caleb—to testify in Los Angeles.
The Burkes, residing in Texas, have fiercely contested these orders through petitions filed in a Texas appeals court. Their attorney argued that the family’s due process rights were violated because the supporting affidavits were heavily redacted, depriving them of a full understanding of why they are considered material witnesses. This legal skirmish has delayed the grand jury’s work, with no resolution yet from the Texas court.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, overseeing the case, has remained tight-lipped on specifics, citing the ongoing nature of the proceedings. However, the unsealed documents—stemming from the subpoenas—have thrust the investigation into the spotlight, revealing not only Burke’s targeted status but also the extent of the alleged brutality.
Public reaction has been swift and divided. On social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), users have expressed outrage and impatience, with posts questioning the pace of the investigation.
One recent thread lamented, “This is getting darker by the day,” while others demanded swift justice for Hernandez.
Supporters of Burke, meanwhile, point to the lack of charges as evidence of the presumption of innocence, urging restraint amid the media frenzy. Reddit discussions echo this tension, with some users drawing parallels to high-profile cases where initial suspicions proved unfounded, while others criticize the system for perceived delays.
Hernandez’s family, grieving in silence for much of the ordeal, has not issued recent statements, but earlier pleas highlighted their anguish over her disappearance. A makeshift memorial in Los Angeles, adorned with flowers and notes, stands as a poignant reminder of the young life lost.
Burke, who rose to fame as a teenage sensation with viral tracks blending emo and R&B, has kept a low profile since the allegations surfaced. He has retained high-profile criminal defense attorney Blair Berk, known for handling celebrity cases, signaling the gravity of the situation.
Industry insiders speculate on the impact on his career, with streaming numbers reportedly dipping amid the controversy.
As the grand jury deliberates behind closed doors, questions linger: What evidence ties Burke directly to the crime? Why the cross-state legal tug-of-war? And when, if ever, will justice be served for Celeste Rivas Hernandez?
Sources indicate that an indictment could come soon if the family’s testimony is compelled, but until then, the case remains a stark intersection of celebrity, tragedy, and the slow grind of the legal system.
This story is developing, with updates expected as court proceedings unfold. Authorities have urged anyone with information to contact the LAPD’s tip line.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Rising singer-songwriter D4vd (David Anthony Burke) has been officially named the target of a Los Angeles grand jury murder investigation into the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Her dismembered remains were discovered in September 2025 inside a Tesla registered to him—more than a year after she disappeared following plans to meet him for a movie. No charges have been filed yet, but the case centers squarely on him as the primary suspect under active scrutiny.
