D4vd charged in Celeste Rivas’ murder, prosecutors reveal what he allegedly killed her with
Authorities in Los Angeles have brought a slew of charges against D4vd in connection with the murder of Celeste Rivas, the teen whose decomposed and chopped-up body was found in a Tesla owned by the singer.
Per TMZ, prosecutors also claim that D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, killed Rivas with a “sharp instrument.” The 21-year-old was arrested last Thursday.
Rivas’ body was found in the front trunk of D4vd’s car on September 8, 2025, after her family reported her missing in 2024. Her mother also said that Rivas was dating an individual named David, per TMZ.
A top Los Angeles Police Department source told the entertainment news outlet that Rivas’ manner of death was ruled as homicide by the Medical Examiner.
D4vd is accused of murdering Rivas on April 23, 2025, before he mutilated her body May 5th. Authorities claim that Rivas’ dismembered body was put in two bags, and it had been in the trunk of D4vd’s Tesla for four months.
Rivas is said to have gone to D4vd’s residence in Hollywood Hills in April 2025, and that was the last time she was heard from.
D4vd was on Monday charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances, mutilating a body, and lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14. The special circumstances comprise lying in wait, committing the crime for financial gain, and murdering a witness to an investigation, TMZ reported. He has pleaded not guilty.
D4vd is accused of having a sexual relationship with Rivas, with D.A. Nathan Hochman claiming that he killed the teen to save his career after she threatened to make their sexual relationship public.
But following his arrest, D4vd’s attorneys released a statement saying that their client had nothing to do with Rivas’ murder.
“Let us be clear – the actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death,” the statement partly said.
His attorneys also said that they will “vigorously defend David’s innocence.”
READ ALSO: Celeste Rivas: Teen whose decomposed body was found in D4vd’s Tesla laid to rest
