The music industry, often seen as a realm of glitz, glamour, and soaring success, has been rocked to its core by a scandal that intertwines a rising star’s career with the grim reality of a murder investigation. On September 9th, 2025, the bright lights of fame dimmed for 20-year-old Kuner David Anthony Burke, famously known as D4vd, when a gruesome discovery in his impounded Tesla unleashed a torrent of disturbing revelations. What began as an investigation into a foul smell emanating from a vehicle quickly escalated into a homicide probe that has captivated and horrified the public, painting a sinister picture far removed from the melodies that made D4vd a household name.

The shocking sequence of events began when workers at a Hollywood tow yard reported a nauseating odor emanating from a Tesla Model 3. Upon inspection by Los Angeles police, a badly decomposed body, wrapped in plastic, was found in the front trunk of the vehicle, also known as the “frunk.” The remains were so severely decomposed that immediate identification was impossible, and the body was dismembered, weighing a mere 71 pounds. The car was registered to D4vd, the artist behind global hits like “Romantic Homicide” and “Here with Me,” tracks that had amassed billions of streams on Spotify. The irony was stark: as police processed this macabre scene, D4vd was performing sold-out shows on his “Wee” world tour, thousands of miles away.

Initially, public sentiment leaned towards D4vd’s innocence. His Tesla had been reported stolen a week prior, and his alibi of being on tour seemed ironclad. Fans and media alike speculated that his car had been hijacked and used for nefarious purposes by someone else. However, subtle red flags began to emerge. The Tesla had been abandoned in the affluent Hollywood Hills for five days, with neighbors noting a strange odor they attributed to a dead animal. More tellingly, major brands like Crocs and Hollister abruptly dropped D4vd from their endorsement campaigns almost immediately after the news broke, a move that suggested they possessed information not yet privy to the public.
The victim, eventually identified as a female, was described as approximately 5’1″ with wavy black hair, clad in a tube top, black leggings, a yellow metal chain bracelet, and stud earrings. The most crucial detail, however, was a small “sh” tattoo on her right index finger. This seemingly innocuous detail would prove to be the linchpin that cracked the case wide open, leading investigators down a path far more disturbing than anyone could have anticipated.

To fully grasp the magnitude of this tragedy, it’s essential to understand D4vd’s meteoric rise to fame. Born in Queens, New York, and raised in Houston, Texas, D4vd was homeschooled after seventh grade and maintained a strong Christian faith. His journey into music began uniquely in 2021 when he started creating original tracks for his Fortnite gaming montages to avoid copyright issues. What started as a practical solution quickly evolved into a passion, leading to a record deal with Darkroom and Interscope Records. His DIY approach, recording in his sister’s bedroom closet using an iPhone, Apple earbuds, and the free BandLab app, cultivated a raw, intimate sound that resonated deeply with a generation.

“Romantic Homicide,” released on July 20th, 2022, became his breakthrough hit, peaking at number three on the Hot Alternative Songs chart and number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s lyrics, particularly lines like “In the back of my mind I killed you. And I didn’t even regret it. I didn’t kill her physically, in the back of my mind she died, and I didn’t even cry, not a single tear,” took on a chilling new significance in light of the unfolding events. While D4vd had previously explained these lyrics as a metaphorical exploration of emotional detachment, the discovery in his car cast them in a horrifying, literal light.

Despite his fame, D4vd maintained a grounded image, living in Houston with his family, continuing his weekly Bible studies, and presenting himself as a wholesome, faith-driven artist untouched by the excesses of the industry. This carefully curated persona would soon be shattered by the grim realities uncovered during the investigation.

The Tesla itself, a 2023 model with Texas plates registered under D4vd’s legal name, became a critical piece of evidence. Found in the upscale Bird Streets area of Hollywood Hills, its location raised immediate questions. Tesla vehicles, essentially computers on wheels, store vast amounts of data—from GPS coordinates to usage patterns—that would prove invaluable to investigators. The neighborhood’s extensive surveillance systems, including Ring doorbells and security cameras, were also tapped for crucial footage.
Eight days after the initial discovery, on September 17th, 2025, the LA County Medical Examiner’s Office officially identified the body as Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 15-year-old girl reported missing from Lake Elsinore, California, on April 5th, 2024. This revelation sent shockwaves through both the music industry and the public. Celeste, a teenage girl who had been missing for over a year, was found in the car of a celebrity. The most disturbing detail, however, was the “sh” tattoo on her right index finger, which matched a nearly identical tattoo D4vd had on his own right index finger, albeit in a different color ink.

Celeste’s mother further intensified the narrative, informing authorities that her daughter had a boyfriend named “David” before she vanished. This direct link between the victim and the singer transformed the investigation from one of circumstantial evidence to a homicide case with a clear connection to D4vd. Social media quickly became a repository of alleged evidence, with photos surfacing showing D4vd and Celeste together, including FaceTime calls. One particularly unsettling image purportedly showed them together at 3:51 a.m., raising serious questions about the nature and legality of their relationship.
The alleged timeline of their relationship painted an even darker picture. According to online discussions and social media posts, their relationship might have begun when Celeste was as young as 12 or 14, while D4vd would have been 17 or 19. Given D4vd’s birthdate of March 28th, 2005, these allegations, if proven true, would constitute statutory rape under California law, where the age of consent is 18. Screenshots of alleged Discord conversations between D4vd and Celeste from 2022, when she was reportedly 13, circulated online, further bolstering claims of an inappropriate relationship with a minor.

The final communications from Celeste, shared by friends, depicted a frightened young girl on the run, hiding from her parents, and trapped in a relationship that deeply concerned her friends. Messages from April 29th, 2024, weeks after her disappearance, showed her alive but in distress, writing about being “scared” and being told “do not text me” by the person she was with. When friends pressed her about her safety and her relationship with “David,” her response was chilling: “I’m safe, no I’m not.” These conversations alluded to intimate activities, suggesting a sexual relationship that, given her age, would be illegal.

These revelations completely dismantled the initial “stolen car” theory. Evidence now strongly suggested that D4vd knew Celeste, was in a relationship with her, and that she had been alive and in hiding for weeks after being reported missing. The case took an even more sinister turn with allegations of “hush money” payments. Instagram posts from users claimed that D4vd had been paying individuals to keep quiet about his relationship with a minor, suggesting a calculated effort to conceal an illegal relationship through financial incentives.

Perhaps the most haunting detail to emerge was the symbolic timing surrounding Celeste’s disappearance and death. Her birthday was September 7th. On September 7th, 2022, D4vd released “Romantic Homicide,” the very song with the chilling lyrics about killing someone “in his mind.” Three years later, on September 7th, 2025, what would have been Celeste’s 16th birthday, investigators believe D4vd’s Tesla, containing her remains, was abandoned. The symbolic significance of this date and its connection to his music sent shivers down the spines of many, raising questions about whether her death was intertwined with his artistic expressions in a horrifying, real-life narrative.
Reports from Celeste’s alleged brother further complicated the narrative, claiming D4vd had written an unreleased song titled “Celeste” with lyrics referencing her, including “the girl with my name tattooed on her chest.” He also claimed to have found private communications and photos between them. These allegations painted a picture of a family who suspected foul play but felt powerless against the celebrity status of D4vd.

The age gap and power imbalance between D4vd, a 20-year-old adult with fame and wealth, and Celeste, a 15-year-old minor from a working-class family, became a central focus. This disparity of power made their alleged relationship deeply problematic, even without the criminal allegations. Legal experts began to weigh in, suggesting potential charges against D4vd ranging from statutory rape and child endangerment to federal charges if he had transported her across state lines.

The LAPD officially classified Celeste’s death as a homicide, though the exact cause of death remains deferred due to the advanced state of decomposition and dismemberment of the remains. The condition of the body strongly indicated a deliberate attempt to conceal the crime and dispose of evidence. The question shifted from whether a crime had occurred to who was responsible and how the events unfolded.

The tragedy of Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s story paints a harrowing picture of a young girl allegedly groomed and isolated by an older, famous man. The matching tattoos, once potentially seen as a sign of affection, now appear as symbols of ownership and control. The case against D4vd is no longer merely about a stolen car; it’s a chilling narrative involving an inappropriate relationship with a minor, a body found in his vehicle, and a timeline that disturbingly aligns with his darkest lyrics. The music industry and his devoted fanbase are left to grapple with the unsettling reality that their rising star may embody something far more sinister than they ever dared to imagine. The world watches as the full truth behind “D4vd’s Girlfriend’s Last Words” continues to unravel.