By Blessing Nweke
US singer D4vd has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of 14 -year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were discovered last year, authorities said.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed on Thursday that the 21-year-old artist, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, is being held without bail. Officials said the case will be presented to prosecutors early next week.
Burke had been under scrutiny for months following a grand jury investigation into the girl’s death. Police said they had now arrested him “for the murder of Celeste Rivas.”
The case drew national attention after the teenager’s remains were found on 8 September 2025 inside a Tesla vehicle linked to Burke. The car had been towed to a yard in Los Angeles after reports of a foul odour.
Investigators discovered a severely decomposed body in the vehicle’s front compartment, with officials estimating the girl had been dead for several weeks. The county medical examiner has yet to determine the cause of death, and authorities have released limited details, treating the case cautiously throughout the investigation.
Rivas Hernandez, who lived about 75 miles away in Lake Elsinore, was reported missing by her family in April 2024. Described by relatives as a beloved daughter and friend, she had previously run away from home, according to local reports.
The mystery surrounding her death sparked widespread speculation online, particularly given Burke’s public profile as a TikTok star and musician. He had remained largely silent, though his representatives earlier said he was cooperating with investigators.
The arrest marks the first major breakthrough in the case since grand jury proceedings began late last year. Further court hearings are expected in the coming days.
Original article
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