Los Angeles County prosecutors formally charged David Anthony Burke — the 21-year-old music star better known as D4vd — on Monday with killing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was found in the trunk of a Hollywood car last year.
The district. He said. Nathan Hochman said D4vd tortured Celeste repeatedly and mutilated her body. He was last seen at the singer’s home in April 2025, according to Hochman, and then “wasn’t heard from again.”
“A parent’s nightmare is a situation where your daughter goes out overnight and never comes back,” said Hochman.
Prosecutors will file special felony murder charges later Monday, saying Burke killed Celeste for money and because she was a witness to the crime — her sexual abuse at the hands of the singer. If convicted as charged, Burke faces life in prison without parole, or the death penalty.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said authorities found in the investigation that Burke sexually assaulted a 14-year-old boy, but authorities declined to elaborate on what they believe is related to his disappearance.
Hochman also said the killing was done for financial gain, so that Burke could “maintain his very lucrative music career,” which Celeste was a threat to.
Burke is expected to appear in Los Angeles City Court on Monday afternoon.
Burke was arrested by Los Angeles police last Thursday at a Hollywood residence near Sunset Blvd. He surrendered after a group of armed police raided the street. Burke has denied all wrongdoing through his lawyers.
“Let’s be clear – the real evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not kill Celeste Rivas Hernandez and is not the cause of her death,” her legal team Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter said in a statement.
Hochman said there was “physical, legal and digital” evidence tying the singer to the crime.
Celeste was reported missing in Riverside County last summer. His body was found in the trunk of a Tesla at a Hollywood tow truck on September 8, 2025, and news quickly emerged that the car was registered to Burke. The lead singer – whose music features the wildly popular video game “Fortnite” and has collaborated with Kali Uchis and 21 Savage – had just begun a nationwide tour in support of his debut album, “Withered,” when reports surfaced that he might have a connection to the teen’s death.
As Burke canceled his visit, investigators began to carefully build a case. In November, The Times reported that LA County prosecutors had called a secret grand jury to gather evidence about Celeste’s murder. Investigating grand juries cannot return charges against defendants, but they are often used to adduce evidence and subpoena witnesses in future criminal trials. Earlier this year, D4vd gang member Neo Langston was arrested in Montana after attempting to avoid appearing before an LA grand jury.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office has not released a cause of death in the case, but court records released in February say Celeste’s organs were dismembered when she was found.
Hochman said prosecutors will file motions in court that will allow the coroner to release details of the girl’s death. The medical examiner’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
