Liputan6.com, Jakarta - The death of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez has resurfaced in public attention after singer David Anthony Burke, better known by his stage name d4vd, was expected to face murder charges.
Rivas's body was found decomposing in the trunk of d4vd's Tesla on September 8, 2025, at a vehicle impound lot in Hollywood.
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The gruesome discovery came after residents reported a strong odor emanating from the vehicle.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) had identified d4vd as the prime suspect in the case in November 2025 and considered the incident a homicide, although the official cause of death was difficult to determine due to the deteriorating condition of the body.
Recent developments in late December 2025 indicated that d4vd would likely be indicted on murder charges.
Indications of Charges Against d4vd
As of December 29, 2025, d4vd was reportedly expected to be indicted on murder charges in the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
A grand jury had opened the previous month to hear the case and had heard from several witnesses.
However, indictments are not expected anytime soon, with it likely being several months before a grand jury can complete its hearings.
As of November 20, 2025, despite the suspect's identification, no arrests or formal charges have been filed.
Robert Morgenroth, D4vd's manager and record label executive, reportedly called in for several days.
He was heard describing prosecutors as "very pushy" about why he didn't tell police, to which prosecutors allegedly replied that his priority was keeping the tour going.
Following the discovery of Celeste Rivas Hernandez's body, d4vd's world tour, including dates in the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom, was canceled.
In addition to the tour cancellation, d4vd's song "What Are You Waiting For" was also removed from the Madden NFL 26 soundtrack without official explanation.
Case Background: The Discovery of Celeste Rivas Hernandez's Body
David Anthony Burke, also known as d4vd, born March 28, 2005, is an American singer and songwriter who rose to fame in 2022.
He rose to fame thanks to singles like "Here with Me" and "Romantic Homicide," which went viral on TikTok, leading to his signing with Darkroom and Interscope Records.
However, his rising career was suddenly faced with a major scandal.
On September 8, 2025, the decomposing body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found in the trunk of a Tesla registered to d4vd.
The car was recovered from a vehicle impoundment in Hollywood after residents reported a strong odor.
Rivas was believed to have been dead for several weeks before being discovered, and her body was found mutilated and partially frozen and thawed.
The horrific condition of the body made it difficult to determine an official cause of death, but the LAPD firmly ruled the case a homicide.
D4vd's Involvement in the Death Investigation
In November 2025, d4vd was officially identified as a suspect in the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
LAPD sources stated that d4vd was uncooperative with the investigation, contrary to his representatives' previous claims.
Police suspected that d4vd may have received assistance in dismembering and disposing of the body.
Investigators also focused on a mysterious trip d4vd took in the spring of 2025, which was suspected to be related to the body disposal attempt.
As part of the investigation, on September 18, the LAPD searched a residence near the towing site, where d4vd had previously lived with his manager.
To prevent compromising the investigation, Celeste Rivas' autopsy documents were sealed by court order.
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell has remained tight-lipped about the D4vd investigation, telling FOX 11 earlier this month that the department should avoid any public statements that could jeopardize the case.