TikTok Star D4vd Charged with Murder After Teen's Body Found in Tesla Trunk
The grim discovery of a dismembered teenage girl's body inside an abandoned Tesla Model Y has led to first-degree murder charges against multi-platinum TikTok music star D4vd, whose real name is David Burke. The 21-year-old singer now faces potential death penalty enhancements in a case that has shocked both the music industry and the public.
Abandoned Vehicle Leads to Horrific Discovery
A Tesla Model Y registered to Burke had been parked for months on a public street in the Hollywood Hills, drawing complaints from local residents by late August last year. Despite receiving a parking citation, the vehicle remained unmoved, having reportedly been parked in various locations around the area since May. In early September, authorities finally impounded the suspicious car and transported it to a local tow yard.
Three days later, a yard worker detected the unmistakable odor of death emanating from the vehicle. Los Angeles police obtained a search warrant and opened the trunk to discover a horrifying scene: a black holdall covered with insects containing the severely decomposed head and torso of a teenage girl, with a second bag holding additional dismembered body parts. Investigators believe the victim may have died as early as the previous spring.
Victim Identified as Missing Teenager
The remains were identified as those of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who would have been celebrating her 15th birthday on the day she was discovered. Her body weighed just 71 pounds at the time of recovery. The teenager had last been reported missing from her home in Lake Elsinore, approximately 70 miles southeast of Los Angeles, in April 2024.
On Monday, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced that Burke would be charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances. "I am a parent of three children, and a parent's nightmare is a situation where your daughter goes out one night and never comes back, as we will show in a court of law," Hochman stated during the announcement.
Additional Charges and Legal Proceedings
Prosecutors have also accused Burke of lewd and lascivious sexual acts with an individual under 14 years of age and mutilating human remains. Special enhancements could see the 21-year-old facing the death penalty, though California has maintained a moratorium on executions since 2019.
Burke's defense team has maintained his innocence, stating last week: "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."
Rising Star with Dark Imagery
As D4vd, Burke achieved meteoric fame through TikTok, amassing 33 million monthly listeners on Spotify and over 3.6 million followers on the social media platform. His breakthrough came with the song "Romantic Homicide," which he originally created as a soundtrack for his Fortnite gameplay videos. The track went viral alongside other hits like "Here With Me."
Burke's music consistently explored themes of romantic heartbreak, failed relationships, and death, often incorporating violent imagery. His lyrics and music videos, which routinely featured blood-covered individuals, have taken on disturbing new significance in light of the murder charges. The "Romantic Homicide" lyrics include the line: "In the back of my mind, I killed you/And I didn't even regret it/I can't believe I said it/But it's true."
Relationship Between Star and Teen
Despite their vastly different backgrounds—Burke living a celebrity lifestyle in a $20,000-per-month Hollywood Hills rental, while Celeste grew up in working-class Lake Elsinore—their relationship was no secret. The pair had appeared together online multiple times, including in a January 2024 livestream video where they chatted until 3 a.m.
Celeste's mother later confirmed to TMZ that her daughter had admitted to having a boyfriend named David. In February 2024, someone concerned about the teenager's wellbeing emailed Burke's record company domain, mentioning rumors of his involvement in her disappearance and urging him to "do the right thing and take her home."
Investigation Challenges and Delays
LA Police Chief Jim McDonnell addressed speculation about the seven-month delay in bringing charges, explaining that "crucial evidence had degraded or disappeared" due to the extended time before Celeste's body was found. Determining her cause and time of death proved particularly difficult for investigators.
The case grew more complex when it emerged that an executive at Burke's record label, Mogul Vision, allegedly told a grand jury that he didn't alert police upon first hearing about the girl's death because he didn't believe it was his responsibility and didn't want to disrupt the singer's nationwide tour.
Search for Evidence
Ten days after Celeste's body was discovered in September 2025, LAPD detectives searched Burke's Hollywood Hills home, seizing electronic devices including a computer. A private investigator hired by the property owner reportedly found a "burn cage" incinerator at the residence, raising concerns that crucial evidence might have been destroyed.
Investigators believe multiple individuals may have been involved in disposing of the body. Last November, police revealed they were focusing on a particular trip Burke took to Santa Barbara in spring 2025, though they provided no further details.
Ongoing Legal Battles
The case has become increasingly opaque, with police obtaining a court order in November preventing the coroner's office from releasing any details about Celeste, including the cause and manner of her death. Authorities cited potential risks to the investigation and witnesses.
Despite reports that they refused to give evidence to the grand jury, Celeste's family is reportedly considering a civil lawsuit against the LAPD to force the release of evidence related to the case. They join numerous others seeking answers in what remains a curiously elusive and disturbing mystery.
