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Singer detained without bail in homicide probe
Los Angeles police arrested the 21-year-old musician, legally named David Anthony Burke, on Thursday on suspicion of killing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were discovered inside his Tesla last September.
Discovery of remains
On 8 September 2025, tow-yard workers in Hollywood alerted authorities to a foul smell emanating from a Tesla registered to Burke's Texas address. Inside the front trunk, investigators found the girl's decomposed head and torso wrapped in a cadaver bag. The Los Angeles County medical examiner described the body as "severely decomposed" and deferred determining the cause of death, estimating she had been dead for several weeks before the discovery.
Investigation timeline
Rivas Hernandez was last seen in April 2024 when her family in Lake Elsinore, roughly 75 miles from the recovery site, reported her missing. Neighbors told the Los Angeles Times she frequently visited a local corner store. A judge sealed her death records in November to allow investigators to review the medical examiner's findings before releasing details to the public.
Evidence and grand jury proceedings
Court documents obtained by the BBC confirmed Burke as the "target" of a grand jury investigation into one count of murder. In December, jurors began hearing testimony, including from Burke's father, Dawud Burke, who traveled from Texas after receiving a summons. When Dawud Burke challenged the summons in a Texas court, he disclosed previously unreleased case details.
Among the newly publicized facts: Rivas Hernandez was wearing a tube top, small black leggings, and yellow metal jewelry when found. She also had a tattoo on her index finger reading "Shhh...," matching a tattoo on Burke's own finger.
Fallout for the musician
Following the discovery of the body, Burke canceled his world tour and retreated from public view. Brands including Hollister and Crocs severed ties with him, and singer Kali Uchis removed their collaborative track Crashing from streaming platforms. Police also searched a Hollywood Hills mansion linked to Burke, located near where his Tesla was towed.
Next steps
The Los Angeles District Attorney's office is scheduled to review the case on Monday. Burke remains in custody without bail.
