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.
Iran said on Sunday (10 May) that it had sent its response to a U.S. proposal aimed at launching peace talks to end the war, as signs of tentative ...
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has cited Azerbaijan as an example of what he described as a sovereign foreign policy, recalling rem...
China’s exports grew faster than expected in April, as overseas buyers moved quickly to secure supplies a...
President Donald Trump called Iran’s response to a US war proposal “totally unacceptable” after Tehran sent its reply through med...
Russia is holding a significantly scaled-back Victory Day parade in Moscow on 9 May 2026, reflecting heightened security concerns and the ongoing w...
Iran said on Sunday (10 May) that it had sent its response to a U.S. proposal aimed at launching peace talks to end the war, as signs of tentative movement emerged around the Strait of Hormuz despite renewed security incidents across the Gulf.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has cited Azerbaijan as an example of what he described as a sovereign foreign policy, recalling remarks made by President Ilham Aliyev during talks in Yerevan, where he sharply criticised resolutions adopted against his country by the European Parliament.
Russia is holding a significantly scaled-back Victory Day parade in Moscow on 9 May 2026, reflecting heightened security concerns and the ongoing war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year.
Centre-right leader Péter Magyar was sworn in as Hungary’s prime minister on Saturday, propelled into office on promises of change after years of economic stagnation and strained ties with key allies under his predecessor Viktor Orbán.
British paratroopers and military medics have been deployed to Tristan da Cunha after a suspected hantavirus case was confirmed, as first evacuation flights carrying passengers from the stricken MV Hondius cruise ship left Tenerife for Madrid and Paris.
Russia is holding a significantly scaled-back Victory Day parade in Moscow on 9 May 2026, reflecting heightened security concerns and the ongoing war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year.
Indonesian rescue teams have located two Singaporeans who went missing after Mount Dukono erupted on Friday (8 May) on the island of Halmahera, though authorities say it remains unclear whether they are alive.
The U.S. Defense Department has released dozens of previously classified files on unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) on Friday (8 May), following an order from President Donald Trump. U.S. officials described as a push for “unprecedented transparency”.
A memorandum of understanding has been signed between Baku State University (BSU) and the international television channel AnewZ, marking a new stage of cooperation in journalism education and media development.
Ye will perform in Tbilisi on 12 June as part of a Georgian government-funded programme, despite being barred from entering the U.K. and facing mounting concert cancellations across Europe.
The Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 will mark its 10th anniversary with a major entertainment programme in Baku, headlined by global pop star Katy Perry.
The 61st Venice Biennale has opened under grey skies and political tension, with disputes over Russia and Israel, resignations on the jury, and protests marking the start of one of the art world’s most high-profile events.
The steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art were transformed once again into the world's most prestigious runway for the 2026 Met Gala. This year’s theme, 'Costume Art,' invited guests to explore the intersection of nature, history, and the surreal under the official dress code 'Fashion Is Art'.
Hundreds of young people in South Korea have gathered in Seoul to take part in a city-backed “power nap contest”, aimed at drawing attention to the country’s chronic sleep deprivation.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment