Alt-pop artist d4vd, legally known as David Anthony Burke, has been identified as the “target” of a Los Angeles County grand jury investigation concerning the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Unsealed court documents from February 2026 reveal that prosecutors believe Burke “may be involved in having committed… One count of Murder.” As of March 2026, no criminal charges have been filed against the 20-year-old singer.

Rivas Hernandez's severely decomposed and dismembered body was discovered on September 8, 2025, inside the front trunk of an abandoned 2023 Tesla Model Y registered to Burke. The vehicle had been towed from a Hollywood Hills street where it sat for over 72 hours. Authorities noted that a cadaver bag found in the car contained a decomposed head and torso, with severed arms and legs located in a separate bag underneath. The Los Angeles Police Department officially described the probe as a “murder investigation” in November 2025 court filings and has confirmed that Rivas and Burke were involved in a romantic relationship.

Grand jury subpoenas were issued on January 15, compelling Burke's mother, father, and brother – Colleen Burke, Dawud Burke, and Caleb Burke, respectively – to testify in Los Angeles. These documents, initially sealed in California, became public through their appeal in Texas, which a Texas appeals court rejected. While Burke's representative stated in September 2025 that he was “fully cooperating with the authorities,” an LAPD source reportedly indicated otherwise. Following the initial discovery and media attention, Burke canceled the remainder of his U.S. and European tour dates.

The investigation remains active, but the cause of Rivas Hernandez's death has not been publicly released. In November 2025, Los Angeles police secured a court order preventing Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odey Ukpo from disclosing autopsy findings.