Singer D4vd is under investigation by a Los Angeles County grand jury in connection with the death of a 14-year-old girl whose decomposed body was discovered in a Tesla registered in his name. Court documents revealed that the 20-year-old alt-pop artist, born in Houston as David Burke, is the focal point of the investigation as indicated in the grand jury subpoenas issued on Jan. 15 to secure testimony from three of his relatives.
The information, previously sealed in California where the investigation has been kept confidential, was made public following an appeal in Texas by the singer’s mother, father, and brother. According to the documents, the targeted individual may have committed criminal offenses, including one count of murder, under California law.
The Tesla, identified in court filings, was registered under D4vd’s name at the residence of his family members who were called to testify. Although authorities had not officially named D4vd as a suspect, the body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, found on Sept. 8, was identified as that of a 14-year-old. The girl, reported missing by her family in 2024 from Lake Elsinore, was discovered in a 2023 Tesla Model Y at a tow yard, where investigators uncovered a cadaver bag emitting a strong odor of decay and infested with insects.
Upon inspection, detectives found a decomposed head and torso within the bag, with additional body parts located in a separate black bag. Despite requests for comments, representatives for D4vd remained silent, and the District Attorney’s Office declined to provide any statements. A Texas judge ordered the singer’s family members to comply with the subpoenas and appear for testimony in California.
The Tesla, left abandoned in an affluent Hollywood Hills neighborhood, was connected to D4vd, who continued performing shows until the news broke. Following widespread media coverage, he canceled the remaining concerts and a European tour. The Medical Examiner’s Office had earlier stated that Rivas Hernandez had been deceased for a considerable period before discovery, withholding the cause of death.
D4vd, known for his music blending indie rock, R&B, and lo-fi pop, rose to fame among Gen Z fans with hits like “Romantic Homicide.” Despite his popularity, he faced cancellations and disruptions to his tour schedule after the grim discovery. The investigation continues, with the findings of the autopsy and the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death yet to be disclosed.