The Celeste Rivas Hernandez Case: What We Know About the d4vd Murder Charges

A 14-year-old girl went to a musician’s home in the Hollywood Hills.

She was never seen alive again.

Months later, her remains were discovered in a car connected to him, while he was on tour, performing on stage.

At first, the case raised questions. Now, it’s raising something else entirely.

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Listen to the Full Episode

Prefer to listen to the full story? We go deeper into the timeline, the investigation, and the details that don’t quite add up in this episode of This Feels Criminal.

Tune into Part 1 here:

Tune into Part 2 here:

In these episodes we break down:

• The last known moments before everything went silent
• The connection that investigators couldn’t ignore
• How this case shifted months later in a way no one expected
• What happened between the discovery and the arrest
• The charges, and what they could mean
• The autopsy findings that changed the direction of the case
• The moment in court that made everything feel bigger
• And why this story still feels unfinished

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Who Was Celeste Rivas Hernandez?

Celeste Rivas Hernandez was 14 years old, from Lake Elsinore, California.

In the year before her death, she had been reported missing multiple times. Her family last heard from her in May 2024.

The last time investigators believe she was alive was April 23, 2025. That was the day she arrived at a rented home in the Hollywood Hills.

After that, there was no contact.

The Connection to d4vd

The home belonged to David Anthony Burke, known publicly as d4vd, a musician with millions of followers and a rapidly growing career.

Reports suggest Celeste had been connected to him online for years.

She was allegedly active in his Discord community, and some users referred to her as his girlfriend.

Her family has said she mentioned a boyfriend named “David.”

That connection that started online, then in person – became central to the investigation.

How the Case Changed

For months, there were no answers. Then in September 2025, everything shifted.

A vehicle registered to Burke had been sitting abandoned and was eventually towed.

At the tow yard, a worker noticed a strong odor and contacted authorities. What they found inside that vehicle changed the direction of the case completely.

The remains were later identified as Celeste.

The Timeline That Doesn’t Sit Right

At the time the remains were discovered, Burke wasn’t nearby.

He was performing on tour that same day.

That contrast, between where he was and where she was found, became one of the many details that made this case difficult to ignore.

Investigators spent months building their case. Search warrants. Witnesses. Digital evidence.

And eventually, an arrest.

The Arrest and Investigation

Burke was arrested in April 2026 following an extensive investigation.

Authorities executed dozens of search warrants and gathered large amounts of digital evidence during that time.

The delay between Celeste’s death and the discovery of her remains created challenges for investigators, particularly when it came to physical evidence.

Even so, prosecutors moved forward with charges.

The Charges Against d4vd

Burke has been charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances.

Additional charges include allegations involving a minor and the mutilation of a human body.

Prosecutors have outlined a theory of the case – one tied to control, exposure, and the potential impact on his career.

Burke has pleaded not guilty.

What the Autopsy Revealed

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death as multiple penetrating injuries and the manner of death as homicide.

The condition of the remains reflected months of decomposition, which investigators say complicated parts of the case.

Still, certain forensic details – particularly those related to the injuries – have become key pieces of evidence.

The Court Hearing That Changed Everything

What began as a routine status hearing quickly became something else.

Prosecutors revealed that investigators had collected an enormous amount of digital data from Burke’s devices, tens of terabytes across multiple platforms.

And within that data, they claim to have found something that goes beyond this case alone.

Something that could significantly impact how this case is understood.

What Hasn’t Been Fully Explained

There are still gaps in the timeline: Details that haven’t been publicly released, evidence that is still being processed, and questions that don’t yet have clear answers.

Even now, the case feels unfinished.

Related Coverage and Sources

For additional context and reporting on this case, you can explore:

• ABC7 Los Angeles coverage
• NBC Los Angeles updates
• Rolling Stone reporting on the investigation
• Court TV breakdown of forensic findings

Frequent Asked Questions on the Celeste Rivas Hernandez Case