D4vd Case Timeline: Tesla? Murder charge? Here’s what happened
David Anthony Burke, the alt-pop singer known as D4vd, faces first-degree murder charges in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Her remains were found inside his impounded Tesla in September 2025. The case has moved through discovery, arrest, and preliminary hearings, with a civil lawsuit now running alongside the criminal proceedings. Readers following the timeline want verified dates and evidence summaries, not speculation.
Discovery at the tow yard
On September 8, 2025, Los Angeles police responded to a foul odor at a Hollywood tow lot. Officers opened the front trunk of a 2023 Tesla Model Y registered to Burke’s Texas family address and found two plastic bags containing severely decomposed remains. The head and torso occupied one bag, while the limbs filled the other. Multiple air fresheners lay inside the car.
The vehicle had been towed weeks earlier after sitting abandoned near Burke’s Hollywood Hills home. Tow workers reported the smell before authorities arrived. The discovery launched an immediate LAPD Robbery-Homicide investigation.
DNA testing later confirmed the remains belonged to Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who had been reported missing from Lake Elsinore since April 2024. Medical examiners noted multiple penetrating torso wounds consistent with stabbing.
Relationship allegations surface
Prosecutors allege Burke met Rivas Hernandez online in August 2022, when she was 11. They claim the sexual relationship began in November 2023, when she was 13 and he was 18. Court filings include more than 8,000 text messages between the two.
Investigators cite Amazon purchase records for chainsaws, a cadaver bag, and an inflatable pool around the time of the alleged killing. They also reference earlier discussions about pregnancy and abortion.
Burke’s team has maintained that the evidence will show he did not cause her death. Public statements from the defense have focused on challenging the prosecution’s timeline and physical evidence.
Night of the alleged murder
Prosecutors say Rivas Hernandez arrived at Burke’s Hollywood Hills home by Uber on April 23, 2025. They allege an argument occurred after she threatened to expose the relationship and damage his career. The album Withered was scheduled for release two days later.
Filings describe the killing as occurring “very soon after her arrival.” The prosecution claims the motive included silencing a witness who could harm Burke’s rising profile.
Surveillance footage and phone records are listed among the evidence the state intends to present at trial. The defense has not yet detailed its response to these specific claims.
Body disposal and vehicle storage
According to prosecutors, the body was dismembered weeks after the alleged stabbing. They cite the chainsaw and pool purchases as tools used in that process. The remains were then placed in bags inside the Tesla frunk.
The car sat on a Hollywood Hills street for an extended period before being towed. Investigators noted the strong odor and insect activity when the bags were opened at the impound lot.
Search warrants executed in September 2025 recovered additional items from Burke’s residence. The LAPD has not released a complete inventory of seized evidence.
Arrest and formal charges
Burke was arrested at his Hollywood Hills home on April 16, 2026. Four days later, the Los Angeles County District Attorney filed first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and mutilation of human remains charges.
The complaint includes special circumstance allegations of lying in wait, financial gain, and murdering a witness. Burke pleaded not guilty at his arraignment.
He was held without bail. The case drew immediate national coverage due to his chart success and the graphic nature of the allegations.
Preliminary hearing outcome
In July 2026, a judge found probable cause to proceed to trial after reviewing the prosecution’s evidence. The defense presented challenges to witness statements and forensic timelines during the hearing.
Burke remained in custody following the ruling. The court set future dates for pretrial motions and discovery disputes.
High-profile attorneys who initially represented him withdrew in late August 2026. A public defender was appointed to continue the case.
Civil lawsuit filed by family
In September 2026, Rivas Hernandez’s parents filed a wrongful death suit in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The complaint names Burke, his mother Colleen Burke, managers, security personnel, and related companies.
Claims include negligence, sexual battery, and human trafficking allegations. The family’s attorney stated the civil case would proceed alongside the criminal prosecution.
The suit seeks damages and aims to examine the roles of multiple parties in the months leading up to the girl’s death.
Evidence challenges and next steps
Decomposed remains have complicated forensic analysis. Prosecutors have acknowledged difficulties with certain physical evidence while maintaining the strength of the overall case.
Grand jury subpoenas have targeted additional witnesses and records. Both sides continue to litigate discovery issues ahead of the October 2026 hearing.
Burke’s current defense team is reviewing the full case file. No trial date has been set.
Media coverage and public interest
The case has maintained steady attention since the September 2025 discovery. Coverage has focused on the timeline, the Tesla connection, and the contrast between Burke’s public image and the charges.
Social media discussions have centered on missing-person protocols and the music industry’s responsibility toward young fans. Some posts reference earlier viral success tied to Fortnite and TikTok.
Local and national outlets continue to report on each procedural milestone without speculating on trial outcomes.
Case status and forward timeline
The criminal matter remains pending with a public defender now representing Burke. The civil suit moves on a separate track and may produce additional depositions.
Future hearings will address motions and evidence disputes. Observers expect the October 2026 date to clarify the trial calendar.
The proceedings continue to draw attention from fans tracking both the legal developments and the broader questions the case raises about accountability in the entertainment industry.
