A Queens-born singer known as D4vd is under scrutiny after authorities found the body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez inside the trunk of his abandoned Tesla, which had been impounded in California’s Hollywood Hills. The discovery occurred as the artist was midway through his first world tour and preparing for a show in Minneapolis.
David Anthony Burke, who performs as D4vd, was born in Queens on March 28, 2005, and later moved to Houston. He rose from Fortnite-related YouTube videos to international fame on TikTok with the 2022 hit “Romantic Homicide,” which climbed into the Top 100 on Billboard within days. Burke released his debut EP in May 2023, and his track “Here With Me” has amassed roughly 1.5 billion streams on Spotify. Known for referencing anime and video games, he built a large social-media following and has opened for SZA on the SOS Tour in 2023. He is cooperating with authorities as the investigation unfolds and had continued his world tour until recently.
The case took a grim turn last week when Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who had been reported missing the previous year at age 13, was found dead in the trunk of Burke’s Tesla. Police described the remains as heavily decomposed and wrapped in plastic, with investigators noting the car had emitted a foul odor that prompted the discovery. Initial reporting identified a tattoo on Celeste’s finger reading “Shhh…” but officials cautioned that similar ink appears on many people. Celeste’s family has said she previously dated a boy named David, a detail that has drawn media attention but has not been linked to Burke.
The revelation prompted widespread corporate distancing and a pause in Burke’s touring plans. Crocs and Hollister cut ties with him in the days after the allegations surfaced. Burke has canceled his scheduled Seattle show, and some outlets have noted adjustments to the rest of his itinerary as investigators pursue multiple lines of inquiry. There has been no public statement from Burke at the time of publication.
Officials with the Riverside County Sheriff's Office said detectives are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry and awaiting autopsy results and other forensic tests. Burke remains a person of interest as the investigation continues, and authorities emphasized that the case remains active and fluid. The high-profile nature of the case has drawn global attention to the rapid stardom possible in the streaming era, and observers note the potential implications for Burke’s career.
The case continues to unfold as investigators gather additional evidence and speak with parties connected to Burke and Celeste. While the investigation proceeds, Burke’s supporters emphasize that no charges have been filed and urge caution in drawing conclusions until authorities release more information.
