Singer d4vd arrested on suspicion of killing a 14-year-old girl found dead in his Tesla

Singer d4vd Arrested in Connection with Teen’s Death

Los Angeles police announced the arrest of singer d4vd, 21, on suspicion of murder in the case of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was discovered in his Tesla seven months prior. The arrest followed an ongoing investigation by Los Angeles County prosecutors, with homicide detectives citing the vehicle as central to the inquiry.

Legal Defense Clarifies Context

Defense attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter issued a statement emphasizing that “the actual evidence in this case will show David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death.” They noted no formal charges had been filed, only suspicion of involvement. The trio also highlighted that no grand jury had returned an indictment, underscoring the preliminary nature of the arrest.

“David has only been detained under suspicion. We will vigorously defend his innocence.”

Discovery and Evidence

The body of Rivas Hernandez was found in a Tesla towed from the Hollywood Hills on Sept. 8, 2024, a day after she would have turned 15. Her family reported her missing in 2024 from Lake Elsinore, a town 70 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Court documents list her age as 14 at the time of death.

Investigators uncovered the decomposed remains in a cadaver bag, described as “covered with insects and a strong odor of decay.” The bag was partially unzipped, revealing a head and torso. A second black bag beneath it contained severed limbs, according to police records. The cause of death remains undetermined, with no official findings yet.

Vehicle and Timeline

Prosecutors revealed the 2023 Tesla Model Y was registered under d4vd’s name at his family’s Texas address. The car had been parked in an upscale Hollywood Hills neighborhood for months, seemingly unattended. The singer, known for his alt-pop style, was touring in support of his debut album “Withered” when the body was discovered. Subsequent shows in San Francisco and Los Angeles were canceled, as were planned European performances.

Authorities had not named d4vd as a suspect until his arrest. He is currently held in jail without bail. The case was under review by a grand jury, which had been investigating his connection to the death. The probe’s secrecy was broken on Feb. 25 when his family contested subpoenas in a Texas court.

Background of the Artist

d4vd, whose name is pronounced “David,” rose to fame through viral TikTok success. His 2022 track “Romantic Homicide” reached No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. He later signed with Darkroom and Interscope Records, releasing EPs “Petals to Thorns” and “The Lost Petals” in 2023. This story has been updated with corrected details, including his age, which is 21, not 14 as previously stated.