D4vd ‘murdered Celeste Rivas, 14, to cover up sexual relationship and save his music career’

D4vd, real name David Burke, was officially charged by authorities in Los Angeles on April 20 in the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas, after her body was discovered in his car’s trunk

13:49 ET, 20 Apr 2026Updated 14:04 ET, 20 Apr 2026

Rapper D4vd has officially been charged with the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas nearly seven months after her remains were found in the trunk of his car in Los Angeles, with authorities alleging he killed her to cover up a sexual relationship that could have derailed his music career.

The singer, real name David Burke, was first named as a person of interest in the case after Rivas Hernandez’s dismembered remains were discovered in garbage bags hidden in the trunk of his impounded Tesla vehicle in September.

Now, after months of investigation, the 21-year-old was officially charged in her death, with authorities revealing in a press conference that he is facing charges of first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with an individual under 14, and mutiliating a body.

He is being held without bail and special circumstances in Rivas’ murder, which include lying in wait, committing a crime for financial gain, and murdering the witness in an investigation, which could lead to him getting the death penalty if convicted. Prosecutors have not yet stated if they will pursue the death penalty.

During the press conference, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman shared more details about the special circumstances behind the charges, including allegations that D4vd murdered Rivas in order to cover up their sexual relationship and keep it from derailing his career.

“There are three sets of charges that have been brought. The first-degree murder with special circumstances. The Special circumstances are lying in wait, that Celeste went to Mr. Burke’s home on April 3, 2025, as alleged in the complaint, at his invitation, and again, was not heard from again.”

“The second is being a special circumstance that this murder was committed for financial gain. As the evidence will show in court, the financial gain was for Mr. Burke to maintain his lucrative musical career that Celeste was threatening on that particular night,” he continued.

“The third charge, in addition to lying in wait and for financial gain, is murdering a witness to an investigation. In this particular case, as the evidence will come out in court, the witness to the investigation was Celeste, and the investigation was into the lewd and lascivious sexual acts committed by Mr. Burke.”

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