Los Angeles police arrested TikTok rapper D4vd on Thursday on suspicion of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose dismembered remains were discovered in his Tesla seven months ago.
David Anthony Burke, the 21-year-old artist's legal name, is being held without bail as prosecutors prepare to review the case Monday for formal charges. The arrest marks the first major development since investigators found Rivas's badly decomposed body parts in black bags inside Burke's impounded vehicle in September.
Police discovered the remains at a Hollywood tow yard after workers reported a foul odor emanating from the abandoned Tesla Model Y. Court documents reveal investigators found the victim's head and torso in one bag, with other body parts in a second bag. The discovery occurred one day before what would have been Rivas's 15th birthday.
Let us be clear – the actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death
Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter, Burke's lawyers — NBC News
The victim had been reported missing from her Lake Elsinore home in April 2024, though family members indicated she had run away before. Rivas, described by neighbors as a first-generation daughter of Salvadoran immigrants who frequently visited local stores, lived approximately 75 miles from where her body was found.
Al Jazeera frames the story as a straightforward criminal justice development, emphasizing procedural details and the timeline of events. Their coverage focuses on the investigative process and legal proceedings without editorial commentary on celebrity culture or social media fame.
The BBC emphasizes the social media aspect of the case, highlighting Burke's TikTok fame and the online speculation surrounding the case. Their framing contextualizes the story within digital celebrity culture while maintaining journalistic objectivity about the criminal proceedings.
Spiegel focuses on the procedural aspects of the American justice system, particularly the grand jury process and bail conditions. Their coverage reflects German interest in comparative criminal justice systems while noting the macabre details that generated public fascination.
NOS emphasizes the international reach of the case, noting Burke's canceled European tour dates including Amsterdam venues. Their framing highlights how American celebrity criminal cases impact global entertainment markets and international touring schedules.
Burke rose to fame in 2022 when his song "Romantic Homicide" went viral on TikTok, accumulating over 1.5 billion Spotify streams. The Houston-born artist's debut album "Withered" reached number 13 on the Billboard 200 chart and has been streamed more than 521 million times on Spotify.
The case has generated significant online speculation about the connection between Burke and Rivas. A grand jury began hearing evidence in December, with Burke's family members from Texas summoned to testify. The singer was touring when the body was discovered and subsequently canceled remaining North American and European dates, citing "unforeseen circumstances."
Medical examiners determined Rivas had been deceased for an extended period before discovery, though no official cause of death has been released. The Tesla had been impounded after being found abandoned on a Los Angeles street, registered to Burke's Texas address.
Burke's legal team maintains there has been no indictment or criminal complaint filed, emphasizing he was detained only under suspicion. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office will determine whether to file formal murder charges when the case is presented Monday.