The story of D4vd (David Anthony Burke) is a grim illustration of how quickly the music industry can flip the switch, turning a Gen Z superstar into a pariah facing financial ruin and a homicide investigation. The 20-year-old artist, who built a reported $2 million net worth from viral hits like “Romantic Homicide” recorded in his sister’s closet, is now at the center of a storm involving murder, money, and music.

The Discovery and the Scandal

The dramatic downfall began when the LAPD was called to a tow yard in the Hollywood Hills after staff reported a foul odor coming from an abandoned Tesla Model 3. Inside the car, which was registered to D4vd, officers made a shocking discovery: the dismembered and decomposed remains of a young girl.

The victim was later identified as 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who had been reported missing over a year earlier. The discovery immediately linked D4vd’s name to a homicide investigation, instantly destroying his carefully crafted public image.

The Public Court of Opinion: Fans quickly dug up old photos, videos, and alleged Discord chats of D4vd hanging out with a girl resembling Celeste back in 2023. Hernandez’s family has publicly stated their belief that she was groomed.
Prophetic Lyrics: The scandal caused the public to re-examine D4vd’s music. His breakthrough hit, “Romantic Homicide,” with lines like, “In the back of my mind I killed you and I didn’t even regret it,” was suddenly seen not as a metaphor for lost love, but as a chilling confession. Even unreleased tracks like “Celeste” were leaked and dissected as potential evidence.
LAPD Activity: The LAPD classified the case as a homicide investigation and later searched a residence in Hollywood Hills previously occupied by Burke, confiscating a computer and other evidence.

The Financial Collapse

Scandals of this magnitude move faster than any court case, and the financial toll was immediate and devastating, essentially bleeding D4vd’s bank accounts dry.

Tour and Royalties Frozen: The Withered World Tour, D4vd’s main source of income, was canceled, costing him millions in expected revenue and forcing him to pay out refunds. Furthermore, his label, Interscope Records, froze all promotion, and Spotify demoted him on playlists, leading to a massive chop in his royalty income.
Brands Drop Out: In the span of a single week, every endorsement deal D4vd held evaporated. Brands like Hollister and Crocs immediately ended their partnerships, and future deals with companies like Nike and Red Bull were terminated before they could begin.
Legal & Civil Costs: High-profile homicide defense cases in Los Angeles are exorbitant, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars right away. With multiple civil wrongful death lawsuits also being lined up by the victim’s family, analysts predict that D4vd’s $2 million net worth will be completely wiped out by legal fees and payouts, making bankruptcy inevitable by mid-2026.

D4vd’s case follows a pattern seen throughout music history—from R. Kelly to 50 Cent—where legal drama and scandals dismantle an artist’s empire faster than it was built. D4vd, with his young age and short career, lacks the catalog and legacy needed to survive this kind of irreversible stain on his image. His name, music, and legacy are now permanently associated with one of the darkest stories in music history.