On Sept. 8, 2025, a 14-year-old female was found in the back of a car. Reports indicate that she grew up in a home impacted by domestic violence and it is rumoured that she was in an illegal relationship with one of the fastest growing artists in the United States, David Burke. This disturbing case has taken the world by storm, leaving fans questioning the machinations of a young star who was previously loved by all.
David Anthony Burke, better known by his stage name d4vd, is involved in a criminal investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Due to the media, opinions have formed around his guilt, with a multitude of internet sleuths and private investigators uncovering a variety of evidence ranging from baseless accusations to essential information. Most of these claims tend to suggest the singer’s guilt, with allegations ranging from general creepiness to outright pedophilia and murder. With accusations flying around, it’s important to separate the facts from the rumours. This case involves the murder of a teenager, so sensitivity and respect is key.
Burke, born March 28, 2005, was raised in Queens, New York. As he entered his teenage years, he became fascinated with music, using it as a way to connect with others due to his homeschooled upbringing. In 2021, he released his own music and in 2022, he released his first hit, “Romantic Homicide,” on SoundCloud. He continued to release successful music, steadily climbing up the Billboard Hot 100 and creating a track titled “Feel It” for the show Invincible. Midway through his tour, following the release of his latest album, everything changed.
On Sept. 8, 2025, a dismembered body, allegedly frozen, was found in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke. According to private investigator Steve Fischer, security footage of the last person who used the vehicle exists but has not been released to the public. Following the discovery, the singer canceled the remainder of his tour and hired a well-known criminal defense attorney who has previously represented big names, including Kanye West and Harvey Weinstein.
The deceased was later identified as Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old girl from Los Angeles who was reported missing on Feb. 15, 2024 and again on April 5 of the same year. Records show that the police were called 11 times to her residence, only three of which were followed up on. The police have not disclosed the results of their warranted search of Burke’s L.A. residence, only stating that they obtained several bags of evidence and multiple electronic devices. While Burke has not been officially labeled as a suspect, a source within the LAPD claims that the police are actively treating him like one as of November 18th. This is because the department was waiting for a ruling from the Medical Examiner to confirm her cause of death via autopsy. Detective Joshua Byers has requested that the autopsy results not be shared with the public, so it will likely take a little longer for Burke to be officially declared a suspect. Additionally, in typical fashion, evidence has been presented in front of an investigative grand jury with witness testimonies to come. Due to the sensitivity of the case, the rest of the initial legal proceedings will not be shared with the media. These are the confirmed facts, although many close to the case have their stories to share.
In terms of Hernandez’s relationship with the singer, although she was a minor, her mother shared, in an interview with TMZ, that she had a “Shhhhh” tattoo on her right finger, the same tattoo that Burke has on his hand. It is important to note that this specific design was popularized by Rihanna and is considered a common tattoo. In the same interview, she shared that her daughter did have a boyfriend named “David,” but she didn’t go into any detail about their relationship or his identity. In addition, according to a person who requested anonymity and reported that he was Hernandez’s ex-boyfriend, the two had conversations in middle school, during which she implied that she was being mistreated at home. Although this is relevant to the case, it’s important to note that hearsay is generally biased and not admissible in court.
It is also alleged in an interview with one of Hernandez’s former teachers that she previously ran away with an adult rapper, was caught and brought back to her parents. The account of her running away is accurate according to police statements, and while the teacher is a primary source, he only provides his perspective of the events.
Finally, a group of individuals who are supposedly close friends of Burke described him as having close ties with Hernandez. They claim that they thought she was 19 years old since according to them she had accompanied them to several age-restricted locations with a fake ID. It is important to note that these accounts were not given under oath or during formal court proceedings, and their accuracy is not verified. These statements could prove significant to the case or they could be false, so they should be viewed with caution until further substantiated.
The final topic of note are the conclusions that people have made based on videos and images circulating online. An example of this is a short clip that has been circling around the web depicting Burke and a young woman streaming in his kitchen, with him instructing the chat to delete the VOD (Video on Demand). This woman bears a striking resemblance to the young girl found dead, but because she had glasses and a hoodie on, it’s hard to tell. There are also several alleged screenshots taken from Burke’s Discord server, showcasing photographs of Burke and Hernandez in a bedroom together, as well as a pregnancy announcement. While these images could be authentic, they could also be fabricated.
All of the evidence, statements and rumours culminate into complex theories, but most of them are founded on the same principle. Burke knew Hernandez before her death and was involved in some sort of close relationship, be that romantic or platonic.
Hernandez’s death was tragic and the investigation remains ongoing. Until more statements or proof have been released by the LAPD, that’s how it will remain in the eyes of the public. In the United States of America, suspects or those thought to be involved are innocent until proven guilty and Burke is no different.