A 13-year-old girl named Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found dead in the trunk of a Tesla owned by the rising music star known as d4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke. This grim discovery came about a year after a stranger on Discord suggested d4vd release a song about the missing girl, whose disappearance had been widely publicized.
Burke, a 19-year-old artist often praised for his viral music start, found himself labeled as a “target” in a grand jury investigation. The autopsy results of Rivas remain sealed by court order at the request of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division.
The Link Between Celeste Rivas Hernandez and David Burke
Rivas repeatedly appeared in Burke’s orbit before she was reported missing in early 2024. CNN’s investigation verified through social media reviews, interviews, and geolocation data that Rivas appeared in livestreams with Burke, attended his concerts backstage, and her image was found on a camera memory card left behind at Burke’s rented Hollywood Hills home.
Local residents from Rivas’ hometown, Lake Elsinore, described her as a polite and respectful teenager who would frequent a neighborhood corner store. Despite the 90-minute drive separating their residences, Burke was seen several times near Rivas’ family home. Photographs of him exiting a black Tesla near her neighborhood were verified by CNN through geolocation and timestamps.
In January 2024, Rivas appeared alongside Burke in a late-night Twitch livestream from a West Hollywood home linked to the singer. Around the same period, an anonymous person sent an email to Burke’s record company addressing concerns for Rivas’ well-being and her disappearance, imploring him to help return her home. Rivas reportedly returned to her family shortly after.
Digital Evidence and Social Media Insights
A private investigator found a digital camera inside Burke’s residence containing photos of him and Rivas taken between late December 2024 and early January 2025. Burke himself shared some of these photos on his social media platform X, captioning them as “took these pics.”
The family of Rivas later acknowledged her acquaintance with Burke and mentioned she was on her way to see a movie with him when she vanished. Since the discovery of her body, the family has ceased public comments regarding the case.
Burke’s Public Persona and Controversies
Burke initially gained prominence with the viral single “Romantic Homicide” in 2022, which contained dark lyrics and violent imagery. He has openly discussed a sinister alter ego called IT4MI, inspired by the Japanese word for “pain.” This persona embodies a violent character who commits crimes, which Burke said he solves as a detective figure, adding layers of complexity and darkness to his artistic image.
Fans have drawn disturbing parallels between Burke’s artistic imagery and the real-life circumstances surrounding Rivas’ death, especially after footage surfaced depicting a trunk scene echoing the grim discovery of the victim’s body.
Investigative Developments and Legal Proceedings
While official statements have been limited, recent actions have revealed movement in the investigation. An associate of Burke was recently arrested in Montana under a material witness warrant issued by Los Angeles authorities, then released on bond.
Court documents from Texas disclosed that Burke’s family members are involved in legal disputes about testifying before the grand jury. These documents also revealed that Rivas’ body was dismembered and placed in two separate bags before being left in the trunk of Burke’s Tesla.
Prosecutors have clearly identified Burke as a “target” in the ongoing probe titled “The People of the State of California v. David Burke.” However, the documents do not detail what role Burke may have played in Rivas’ death, only suggesting his possible involvement.
The case has ignited widespread interest online, with Burke becoming the most searched person worldwide on Google in 2025. Amateurs and professional sleuths alike are analyzing the singer’s lyrics, social media posts, and interviews for potential clues, making it one of the most scrutinized celebrity-related investigations in recent memory.
Read more at: www.cnn.com-
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