Topline: A court petition identifies the musician as a subject of interest after a teen’s remains were discovered in the Hollywood Hills.
Published: February 27, 2026 8:00 am ET
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Left: Celeste Rivas Hernandez, Right: D4vd (via GoFundMe/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA — The musician known as D4vd has been named the focus of a grand jury murder probe after the dismembered remains of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez were found inside his vehicle.
According to a petition filed by prosecutors for the attendance of an out-of-state witness, the singer may be involved in the death of the teenager. The petition also states Rivas Hernandez may have been a victim of foul play.
D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, emerged as a suspect after the victim was discovered Sept. 8, 2025. The remains were located inside a black Tesla Model X registered to the singer, according to People Magazine.
The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office has been presenting evidence to a grand jury at the Los Angeles Superior Court since November, as reported by The Los Angeles Times. No charges have yet been filed against the musician.
The petition explicitly refers to Burke as a “target” of the ongoing grand jury investigation. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the court filing.
Police found the body of Rivas Hernandez around 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 8. The manager of a Hollywood tow company contacted the Los Angeles Police Department after noticing a smell of decay and flies around the vehicle.
The Tesla had been impounded three days earlier on Sept. 5, according to the petition. It had been reported abandoned in a posh neighborhood by a citizen on Aug. 26.
After obtaining a search warrant, officers opened the front trunk of the car. According to the petition, they found a black cadaver bag covered with insects.
Detectives wearing latex gloves partially unzipped the bag and observed a decomposed head and torso, the petition states. Investigators from the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner were called to the scene.
Upon removing the bag from the front storage compartment, authorities discovered the arms and legs had been severed from the body. A second black bag containing the dismembered body parts was found underneath the first.
“Upon removing the cadaver bag from the front storage compartment, it was discovered the arms and legs had been severed from the body,” states the petition. “A second black bag was discovered underneath the cadaver bag. Upon opening the second bag, the dismembered body parts were discovered.”
Burke was on tour at the time the vehicle was impounded, according to the petition. However, a police source told People Magazine in November that the musician has not cooperated with authorities since the start of the investigation.
The victim was identified as Rivas Hernandez following the recovery of the remains in the Hollywood Hills.
The investigation continues as the grand jury reviews evidence related to the death. According to The Los Angeles Times, family members of the singer are currently fighting grand jury subpoenas.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Grand Jury Targets D4vd in Murder Probe Over Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s Death
A court petition identifies the musician as a subject of interest after a teen’s remains were discovered in the Hollywood Hills.
By Kate Byrd
Published: February 27, 2026 8:00 am ET
Left: Celeste Rivas Hernandez, Right: D4vd (via GoFundMe/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA — The musician known as D4vd has been named the focus of a grand jury murder probe after the dismembered remains of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez were found inside his vehicle.
According to a petition filed by prosecutors for the attendance of an out-of-state witness, the singer may be involved in the death of the teenager. The petition also states Rivas Hernandez may have been a victim of foul play.
D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, emerged as a suspect after the victim was discovered Sept. 8, 2025. The remains were located inside a black Tesla Model X registered to the singer, according to People Magazine.
The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office has been presenting evidence to a grand jury at the Los Angeles Superior Court since November, as reported by The Los Angeles Times. No charges have yet been filed against the musician.
The petition explicitly refers to Burke as a “target” of the ongoing grand jury investigation. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the court filing.
Police found the body of Rivas Hernandez around 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 8. The manager of a Hollywood tow company contacted the Los Angeles Police Department after noticing a smell of decay and flies around the vehicle.
The Tesla had been impounded three days earlier on Sept. 5, according to the petition. It had been reported abandoned in a posh neighborhood by a citizen on Aug. 26.
After obtaining a search warrant, officers opened the front trunk of the car. According to the petition, they found a black cadaver bag covered with insects.
Detectives wearing latex gloves partially unzipped the bag and observed a decomposed head and torso, the petition states. Investigators from the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner were called to the scene.
Upon removing the bag from the front storage compartment, authorities discovered the arms and legs had been severed from the body. A second black bag containing the dismembered body parts was found underneath the first.
“Upon removing the cadaver bag from the front storage compartment, it was discovered the arms and legs had been severed from the body,” states the petition. “A second black bag was discovered underneath the cadaver bag. Upon opening the second bag, the dismembered body parts were discovered.”
Burke was on tour at the time the vehicle was impounded, according to the petition. However, a police source told People Magazine in November that the musician has not cooperated with authorities since the start of the investigation.
The victim was identified as Rivas Hernandez following the recovery of the remains in the Hollywood Hills.
The investigation continues as the grand jury reviews evidence related to the death. According to The Los Angeles Times, family members of the singer are currently fighting grand jury subpoenas.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Grand Jury Targets D4vd in Murder Probe Over Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s Death
A court petition identifies the musician as a subject of interest after a teen’s remains were discovered in the Hollywood Hills.
By Kate Byrd
Published: February 27, 2026 8:00 am ET
Left: Celeste Rivas Hernandez, Right: D4vd (via GoFundMe/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA — The musician known as D4vd has been named the focus of a grand jury murder probe after the dismembered remains of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez were found inside his vehicle.
According to a petition filed by prosecutors for the attendance of an out-of-state witness, the singer may be involved in the death of the teenager. The petition also states Rivas Hernandez may have been a victim of foul play.
D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, emerged as a suspect after the victim was discovered Sept. 8, 2025. The remains were located inside a black Tesla Model X registered to the singer, according to People Magazine.
The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office has been presenting evidence to a grand jury at the Los Angeles Superior Court since November, as reported by The Los Angeles Times. No charges have yet been filed against the musician.
The petition explicitly refers to Burke as a “target” of the ongoing grand jury investigation. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the court filing.
Police found the body of Rivas Hernandez around 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 8. The manager of a Hollywood tow company contacted the Los Angeles Police Department after noticing a smell of decay and flies around the vehicle.
The Tesla had been impounded three days earlier on Sept. 5, according to the petition. It had been reported abandoned in a posh neighborhood by a citizen on Aug. 26.
After obtaining a search warrant, officers opened the front trunk of the car. According to the petition, they found a black cadaver bag covered with insects.
Detectives wearing latex gloves partially unzipped the bag and observed a decomposed head and torso, the petition states. Investigators from the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner were called to the scene.
Upon removing the bag from the front storage compartment, authorities discovered the arms and legs had been severed from the body. A second black bag containing the dismembered body parts was found underneath the first.
“Upon removing the cadaver bag from the front storage compartment, it was discovered the arms and legs had been severed from the body,” states the petition. “A second black bag was discovered underneath the cadaver bag. Upon opening the second bag, the dismembered body parts were discovered.”
Burke was on tour at the time the vehicle was impounded, according to the petition. However, a police source told People Magazine in November that the musician has not cooperated with authorities since the start of the investigation.
The victim was identified as Rivas Hernandez following the recovery of the remains in the Hollywood Hills.
The investigation continues as the grand jury reviews evidence related to the death. According to The Los Angeles Times, family members of the singer are currently fighting grand jury subpoenas.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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