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Grand jury investigation targets singer D4vd
Newly unsealed court documents reveal that David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, is the focus of a grand jury probe in Los Angeles over the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The teenager's remains were discovered in Burke's car in September 2025.
Burke, whose debut album was released in April 2025, has not been formally charged or named as a suspect. Grand jury proceedings remain active, according to U.S. media reports. His representatives previously stated he was cooperating with authorities, though his lawyer did not respond to requests for comment.
Discovery of remains
On September 8, 2025, investigators found Rivas Hernandez's decomposed head and torso in a cadaver bag inside the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke's Texas address. A second bag contained her severed limbs, the court filings stated.
The car had been impounded in Hollywood after police responded to reports of a foul odor at a tow yard. Rivas Hernandez, from Lake Elsinore, California, was last seen in April 2024 and had been reported missing. Authorities said her body showed signs of decomposition consistent with death occurring weeks earlier.
Family summoned to testify
Burke's parents, Dawud and Colleen Burke, along with his brother Caleb, were ordered to testify before the grand jury. Dawud Burke challenged the summons in a Texas court, arguing the California subpoena violated due process because it contained redacted information.
"The court compelled Mr. Burke to travel across the country without allowing him to review the full documents justifying the order," his attorney said in the filing.
Los Angeles Police Department detectives transported the family to California for the closed-door proceedings, court records show.
Secrecy surrounds investigation
The case has been tightly controlled, with the Los Angeles County medical examiner's office imposing a security hold on Rivas Hernandez's autopsy results in November 2025. The hold, requested by police to restrict public access, is rare in other jurisdictions, according to Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odey Ukpo.
"This practice is virtually unheard of elsewhere and has not been shown to improve legal outcomes," Ukpo said.
The Los Angeles District Attorney's Office declined to comment when contacted by The Meta Times.
Timeline of key events
- April 2024: Rivas Hernandez last seen; reported missing.
- April 2025: D4vd releases debut album.
- September 8, 2025: Remains found in Burke's car in Hollywood.
- November 2025: Medical examiner's office imposes security hold on case details.
- February 2026: Court filings unsealed, revealing grand jury target status.
