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US singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, has been formally charged with the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose dismembered body was discovered in September in a Tesla registered to him. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced the charges on Monday, which include first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a person under 14, and mutilating a body, according to multiple reports.

The charges carry special circumstances of lying in wait, committing a crime for financial gain, and murdering a witness in an investigation, which could make Burke eligible for the death penalty, though prosecutors have not yet announced whether they will seek it, according to ABC Australia and The Hindu. Burke pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on April 20, 2026.

Coverage comparison

International media have covered the case extensively, with outlets including BBC, The Guardian, Al Jazeera, and South China Morning Post providing varying degrees of detail. Early reports focused on the arrest and the discovery of the body; later coverage delved into the prosecution's allegations of motive and method. BBC and The Guardian have provided the most detailed investigative reporting, including court filings and autopsy results. Al Jazeera offered concise international briefs, while South China Morning Post emphasized graphic prosecution claims. A single outlet also reported that Burke was in possession of a significant amount of child sexual abuse images, an allegation not yet reflected in formal charges.

Key claims

The discovery: Celeste Rivas Hernandez's body was found on September 8 in a Hollywood tow yard after police received reports of a foul odor from a Tesla. Court documents describe finding a cadaver bag with her head and torso, and a second bag with other body parts, according to multiple sources including ABC Australia and Africa News. The medical examiner initially said the body was severely decomposed and deferred a ruling on cause of death.

The Los Angeles County medical examiner later ruled her death a homicide, caused by multiple penetrating injuries, according to a report released Wednesday. The autopsy detailed significant wounds to her torso, likely from a sharp object, and noted that her body was too degraded to determine eye color. Two fingers were missing, and prosecutors allege she had Burke's name tattooed on them, as reported by The Guardian.

The charges and plea: Burke, 21, was arrested on Thursday at a Hollywood home. He faces charges of first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains, according to the DA's office. The murder charge includes special circumstances that could lead to life without parole or the death penalty, though prosecutors have not decided on the latter, per reports from The Hindu and South China Morning Post.

Burke's attorneys issued a statement saying, "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." They have said they will "vigorously defend" his innocence.

Prosecution's narrative: Court documents filed by prosecutors allege that Burke had a sexual relationship with Hernandez beginning when she was 13 and he was 18, and that she threatened to expose the relationship and "destroy his life." Prosecutors claim he fatally stabbed her to prevent her from speaking out, then purchased chainsaws and a shovel online to dismember her body, using a plastic paddling pool to contain the blood, before placing her remains in his Tesla.

According to a court document quoted by The Guardian, prosecutors stated: "Knowing he had to silence the victim before she ruined his music career as she had threatened, very soon after her arrival at his home, defendant stabbed the victim to death multiple times and stood by while she bled out." The defense tried to block release of this filing, citing concerns about media coverage and a fair trial, but a judge allowed it.

Autopsy and legal wrangling: The autopsy report was sealed at law enforcement's request in November, but prosecutors agreed to allow its release this week. Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odey Ukpo said he was "grateful this information can now be released" and called it "unfathomable" that the family had to wait so long. The report also noted that toxicology found methamphetamine or MDMA and low alcohol, neither of which played a role in her death, as reported by the BBC.

Family's response: Celeste's parents, Jesus Rivas and Mercedes Martinez, issued their first public statement, describing her as "a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance" and calling for justice. District Attorney Nathan Hochman described the case as "a parent's nightmare," noting she was last heard from on April 23, 2025.

Perspectives

Prosecutors have presented a detailed case alleging premeditation, including a pattern of abuse and a motive to protect Burke's music career. Defense attorneys have consistently denied any involvement, arguing that evidence will exonerate their client. Medical examiner officials have expressed frustration over delays in releasing findings, while police defended the pace of the investigation, with LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell saying, "My duty is not to fuel speculation. It's to deliver justice." The case has also attracted significant public and media scrutiny, with some outlets noting an online following that speculated about the case during months of limited official information.