TikTok star and singer D4vd has been arrested for the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division arrested David Burke, 21, and he is now being held without bail.The case is one of the most shocking celebrity crime stories in recent memory, involving a Tesla trunk, a D4vd chainsaw discovery, and a D4vd manager update that raised serious questions.
Background
On September 8, 2025, the remains of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez were discovered in Los Angeles, California, inside the front trunk of an impounded Tesla registered to David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez was from Lake Elsinore in Riverside County, California. Her parents had immigrated from El Salvador. She had been reported missing multiple times in the final year of her life and last contacted her family in May 2024.
Surveillance footage and digital evidence placed her alive as late as January 2025, months before her remains were found. Investigators believe Celeste died in the spring of 2025.
Details: D4vd Arrested What Happened
The car was impounded after someone reported it was abandoned in the Hollywood Hills, where neighbors said it had been parked for more than a month. The remains were found a day after what would have been Celeste’s 15th birthday.
Sources told ABC News that one of the major hurdles for the Medical Examiner was determining the teenager’s cause of death because the body was decayed and in pieces. Much of the case waited on determining how Rivas Hernandez died to prove she was murdered.
The LAPD obtained a court order in November 2025 sealing the medical examiner’s file, including autopsy results, citing concerns about the investigation and potential witnesses.
The D4vd update TMZ covered extensively in late 2025 pointed to an imminent indictment, and that prediction has now come true with Thursday’s arrest.
D4vd Chainsaw: Shocking Discovery at Hollywood Hills Home
One of the most disturbing elements of this case has been the D4vd chainsaw discovery. A private investigator revealed that an unused chainsaw was found inside the Hollywood Hills home rented by D4vd. This came two weeks after a burn cage was also found inside the California home, still unopened in its box.
Private investigator Steve Fischer said that since the chainsaw and the incinerator were not used, it could indicate intent suggesting the plan was never fully executed. He noted that operating a chainsaw requires some training and that D4vd is not responsible for upkeep of the property that would require such tools.
The incinerator was found to be illegal in Los Angeles and had been delivered to the residence under a fake name, though deliveries were accepted at the property.This D4vd update chainsaw revelation deeply unsettled investigators and the public alike.
D4vd Manager Update: Key Testimony
The D4vd manager update became central to the grand jury proceedings. D4vd’s manager, Robert Morgenroth, reportedly testified for several days before the grand jury. He was overheard describing the prosecutor as “very pushy” regarding why he didn’t alert police, to which he allegedly responded that his priority was keeping the tour moving.
At the time Hernandez’s body was found in the singer’s car, a spokesperson said D4vd was “fully cooperating with authorities.” However, by November, the artist was reportedly no longer cooperative with law enforcement.
This D4vd manager update remains one of the most scrutinized aspects of the case, raising questions about who knew what and when.
Quotes
D4vd’s defense attorneys issued a strong statement following the arrest. “Let us be clear 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,” the attorneys said. “There has been no indictment returned by any grand jury and no criminal complaint filed. David has only been detained under suspicion. We will vigorously defend David’s innocence.”
An attorney for D4vd’s parents also released a statement saying: “David’s parents believe in his innocence and support him wholeheartedly.”The LAPD confirmed: “Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department Robbery-Homicide Division have arrested David Burke, a 21-year-old resident of Los Angeles, for the murder of Celeste Rivas.”
How Old Is D4vd?
Many people searching for this case have asked: how old is D4vd? D4vd’s legal name is David Anthony Burke. He is 21 years old and a resident of Los Angeles.He rose to fame as a teenager through viral TikTok videos and the song “Romantic Homicide.”
Impact
D4vd released his debut studio album “Withered” in April 2025 and set out on his world tour in August. His shows were suspended on September 19 following the discovery of Hernandez’s remains. The deluxe edition of his album was also shelved after her body was found in his car.
The singer-songwriter rose to fame with viral hits on TikTok, where he has 3.8 million followers.His arrest has sent shockwaves through the music industry and among millions of young fans worldwide.
The case has also sparked wider conversations about the safety of missing teenagers, particularly young girls, and the accountability of celebrities and their teams when minors are involved.
Conclusion
The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on Monday for filing consideration. The DA’s major crimes division confirmed it will review the case.The D4vd update chainsaw evidence, the D4vd manager update from Robert Morgenroth, and the arrest of David Burke all point to a case that is now entering its most critical legal phase. Whether the DA files formal charges will determine what comes next for the 21-year-old singer and for the family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who have waited over a year for justice.
FAQs
How did D4vd get famous?
D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, became famous through TikTok and other social media platforms as a teenager. His song “Romantic Homicide” went viral globally, gaining him millions of followers. He later released the hit “Here With Me” and built a dedicated fanbase in the alt-pop genre before his debut studio album “Withered” dropped in April 2025.
Who are D-Block rappers?
D-Block is a hip-hop collective and record label founded by rapper Jadakiss, Sheek Louch, and Styles P collectively known as The LOX along with producer Swizz Beatz’s involvement in its early days. They are known for their hard-hitting East Coast rap style and were affiliated with Ruff Ryders Entertainment. D-Block and D4vd are entirely unrelated D4vd is an alt-pop/indie singer, not affiliated with the rap collective.
What was the fastest arrest in history?
One of the most widely cited examples of an extremely fast arrest occurred in 2023 in the UK, where a suspect was arrested within minutes of committing a crime due to CCTV and immediate police response. However, no single globally verified “fastest arrest in history” is officially recorded. In the D4vd case, the LAPD spent months building evidence before making an arrest, reflecting the complex nature of cases involving decomposed remains and forensic challenges.
