D4vd Arrested in Connection to Teen’s Death as Family Maintains His Innocence
The parents of rising singer d4vd are publicly defending their son following his arrest in Los Angeles on suspicion of involvement in the death of a 14-year-old girl whose remains were discovered last year in the trunk of a vehicle linked to the artist.
Through their attorney, Dawud Burke and Colleen Burke said they were “sad and disappointed” by the arrest but remain firm in their belief that their son, born David Anthony Burke, is innocent. The statement comes as the 21-year-old sits in custody awaiting a formal charging decision from prosecutors.
According to law enforcement sources, Burke was taken into custody Thursday afternoon at a residence in the Hollywood Hills. Authorities indicated that the case will be presented to county prosecutors, who will determine whether to file formal charges. As of now, no indictment has been issued, and no criminal complaint has been filed.
Burke’s legal team emphasized that the arrest does not equate to guilt. In a statement, his attorneys said the evidence would ultimately show that he “did not murder” the victim and was not responsible for her death. They also noted that the case has yet to proceed through the standard charging process, underscoring that Burke is currently being held under suspicion.
The investigation centers on the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a teenager who had been reported missing by her family. Her remains were discovered in September 2025 after a 2023 Tesla Model Y associated with Burke was towed from a Hollywood Hills neighborhood. According to a search warrant affidavit, employees at the tow yard alerted police after noticing a strong odor and insect activity coming from the vehicle.
When authorities searched the trunk, they reportedly found human remains in advanced stages of decomposition. Court records indicate the remains were placed in bags and had been inside the vehicle for an extended period. Due to the condition of the body, officials initially deferred determining the cause of death.
Investigators kept much of the case confidential for several months, including obtaining a court order that limited the release of autopsy details. The move drew objections from the Los Angeles County medical examiner, who argued that the restriction hindered transparency.
The case became more public after members of Burke’s family challenged subpoenas related to a grand jury investigation. Court filings later confirmed that Burke had been identified as a target in the inquiry, though no formal charges had been brought at the time.
Witness testimony and other evidence have been presented to a secret grand jury, but the proceedings remain largely sealed. Prosecutors are expected to decide soon whether the case will move forward in open court, where a judge would evaluate whether there is sufficient evidence for a trial.
Neighbors in the area where the vehicle was found told reporters that it had been parked in multiple locations over a period of time before being left on a residential street for several weeks. The discovery has raised questions about how long the remains went undetected.
At the time of the vehicle’s recovery, Burke was on a national tour and continued performing briefly before canceling scheduled appearances following the victim’s identification. The artist rose to prominence in 2022 with breakout singles that generated significant streaming numbers and released his debut album in 2025.
Burke’s family has reiterated its support, while his attorneys say they are prepared to contest the allegations in court.
