The stunning success story of indie R&B star David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, has unraveled into a horrifying criminal investigation following the discovery of a body in a vehicle linked to him. The case, involving the death of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, has revealed a chilling timeline of alleged grooming, manipulation, and systematic abuse of power.

Discovery and Digital Footprint

On September 8, 2025, authorities were called to a Hollywood tow yard regarding a foul odor emanating from a Tesla. Inside the front trunk, they found the badly decomposed and dismembered body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who had been missing since April 2024. The Tesla was registered directly to David Anthony Burke.

Investigators quickly established an intimate connection:

Matching Tattoos: Both the singer and the victim shared matching “sh” tattoos on their right index fingers.
Grooming Timeline: Digital evidence, including social media posts and Discord messages dating back to 2022, suggests a relationship started when Celeste was around 13 or 14, with communication potentially beginning when she was as young as 11 or 12. This paints a picture of systemic grooming and manipulation.

A Confession in the Lyrics?

The artist’s own music has provided some of the most chilling circumstantial evidence in the case.

Romantic Homicide: David’s biggest hit, with over a billion streams, contains the lyric: “In the back of my mind I killed you and I didn’t even regret it.” The song was released on September 7th—which is Celeste’s birthday—leading to speculation that the date of the song’s release coincides with the date of her death.
Alleged “Celeste” Song: Investigators also reportedly uncovered a leaked song allegedly titled “Celeste,” written in 2023, with lyrics that appear to directly reference the victim and their relationship.

Severe Legal Consequences

The evidence collected from the scene and David’s Hollywood Hills residence, including the extreme nature of the body’s dismemberment, has led prosecutors to consider some of the most serious charges under California law:

First-Degree Murder with Special Circumstances: Prosecutors can pursue the death penalty if they prove aggravating factors such as the victim being under 14 (if the relationship started then), the crime involving torture or extreme cruelty (due to the dismemberment), or murder committed during the commission of a sex crime (Felony Murder Rule).
Other Felony Charges: Given the age gap and the nature of the relationship, the singer also faces charges for statutory rape, lewd or lascivious acts with a child, kidnapping, and desecration or mutilation of human remains.

Despite the possibility of a death sentence, California’s current moratorium on executions means that if convicted of the most serious charges, the most likely outcome for David Anthony Burke is life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Industry Fallout and Systemic Failure

The public reaction has been swift and brutal, causing the singer’s career to collapse overnight.

Corporate Distancing: Interscope Records paused all promotional activities, including streaming pushes and new releases. Major brands like Crocs and Hollister announced they were pulling all collaborative materials that featured D4vd.
Betrayal from Fans: Fan accounts and collaborators, who initially defended the singer, have since retracted their statements as new evidence emerged, with many fan communities publicly declaring a sense of betrayal.

The case has ignited a wider public discussion about the systemic power imbalances within the entertainment industry and the failure of social media platforms and corporate brands to protect vulnerable young fans from alleged predatory behavior.