Musician D4vd has been charged with first-degree murder over the death of a teenage girl whose dismembered remains were found inside a car linked to him, prosecutors in Los Angeles County have said.
The 21-year-old artist, whose legal name is David Burke, is accused of killing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who had been reported missing in 2024.
Her body was discovered in September inside a Tesla Model Y that had been towed from the Hollywood Hills after appearing abandoned, according to court documents.
Investigators said the vehicle was registered to Burke and had been left unattended before being removed. A search of the car revealed a cadaver bag containing remains in an advanced state of decomposition. Authorities said the victim’s body had been dismembered, with additional remains found in a second bag.
The cause of death has not been publicly released, with a court order still blocking details of the autopsy.
Burke’s lawyers said he was innocent, stating that evidence would show he “did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death.”
The case has drawn widespread attention, in part due to Burke’s rising profile. Known professionally as D4vd, he gained popularity after his 2022 breakout track “Romantic Homicide” went viral online.
Following the discovery of the body, the singer initially continued touring before cancelling shows as speculation around the case intensified.
Authorities had been investigating the case for months, with a grand jury probe previously examining evidence and witness testimony.
The investigation has also raised questions about whether an artist’s work can be used in court.
Under a 2022 California law, prosecutors face strict limits on introducing song lyrics or creative content as evidence, amid concerns about prejudice and free speech protections.
Legal analysts say such material could only be used if it is directly relevant and not overly prejudicial - a high bar that courts rarely approve.
Burke is being represented by Blair Berk, one of Hollywood’s most prominent criminal defence lawyers.
A graduate of Harvard Law School, Berk has built a reputation for handling high-profile and complex cases involving celebrities and public figures. Her past clients have included Harvey Weinstein, Kanye West, Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears.
She is known for a strategic and discreet approach that focuses not only on courtroom defence but also on managing public perception in cases that attract intense media scrutiny.
Musician D4vd has been charged with first-degree murder over the death of a teenage girl whose dismembered remains were found inside a car lin...
Iran accuses the United States of breaching a ceasefire after a commercial ship was seized in the Gulf of Oman, vowing retaliation, as Israel warns...
Hungarian election winner Péter ...
President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan met a senior NATO envoy in Yerevan to discuss expanding cooperation the presidential off...
Residents displaced by Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades have begun returning to their damaged homes, hoping to recover belongings that s...
Iran accuses the United States of breaching a ceasefire after a commercial ship was seized in the Gulf of Oman, vowing retaliation, as Israel warns south Lebanon residents to avoid restricted areas.
President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan met a senior NATO envoy in Yerevan to discuss expanding cooperation the presidential office said.
Residents displaced by Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades have begun returning to their damaged homes, hoping to recover belongings that survived the blaze.
Progessive Bulgaria, led by pro-Russian Eurosceptic Rumen Radev is on track to form Bulgaria’s next government, after official results showed a runaway victory for the coalition in the Balkan nation's parliamentary elections on Monday (20 April).
Dozens of Chinese-made humanoid robots have demonstrated improvements in speed, balance and autonomous navigation after completing a half-marathon in Beijing on Sunday (19 April), in a showcase of the country’s fast-developing robotics sector.
The U.S. Navy has forcibly intercepted and boarded the Iranian cargo ship TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman after it attempted to breach the ongoing naval blockade. President Trump confirmed that the vessel was neutralised and seized by Marines following a direct strike on its engine room.
Iran accuses the United States of breaching a ceasefire after a commercial ship was seized in the Gulf of Oman, vowing retaliation, as Israel warns south Lebanon residents to avoid restricted areas.
Progessive Bulgaria, led by pro-Russian Eurosceptic Rumen Radev is on track to form Bulgaria’s next government, after official results showed a runaway victory for the coalition in the Balkan nation's parliamentary elections on Monday (20 April).
Secretly filmed footage from two UK laboratories has reignited debate over animal testing in drug development, after a former worker alleged that monkeys, dogs and other animals endured prolonged distress during safety trials for new medicines.
Grammy-winning hip-hop artist Kanye West has postponed his upcoming concert in Marseille, France, “until further notice”, amid mounting political opposition and renewed controversy over his past remarks.
Archaeologists in China have uncovered a vast ancient water channel system believed to be around 4,000 years old, offering new insight into early engineering and the development of Chinese civilisation.
Paddington Bear was the big winner at the Olivier Awards in London on Sunday (12 April), with a stage adaptation of the beloved children's books picking up seven prizes at Britain's top theatre honours.
Asha Bhosle, the legendary Indian playback singer whose voice defined generations of Bollywood music, has died at the age of 92 in Mumbai, prompting an outpouring of tributes from across India and beyond.
Rising living and fuel costs are dampening spending during Thailand’s Songkran festival, traditionally one of the country’s busiest holiday periods, as consumers and vendors scale back celebrations.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment