Indie Pop Star D4vd Accused of Dismembering 14-Year-Old Girl in Hollywood Hills Garage

Key facts

• Celeste Rivas Hernandez, 14, was last seen in April 2025; her remains were found in September 2025 in the trunk of D4vd's Tesla.
• D4vd, 21, is charged with murder, child abuse, and evidence tampering; he has pleaded not guilty.
• Prosecutors say he met Hernandez when she was 11 and began sexually abusing her at age 13.
• The body was dismembered in the garage of D4vd's Hollywood Hills home using a chainsaw and other tools.
• Two fingers from the victim's left hand, including one with a tattoo of D4vd's name, were never recovered.
• D4vd allegedly purchased a blow-up pool, two chainsaws, a body bag, a shovel, and a burn cage online under a false name after the murder.
• The killing allegedly occurred on April 23, 2025, following a text argument about D4vd's relationships with other women.
• A judge allowed the release of the 9-page affidavit over defense objections citing prejudicial publicity.

A Grisly Discovery in a Celebrity's Tesla

In September 2025, police in Los Angeles made a gruesome find: the torso and head of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, in an advanced state of decomposition, inside a body bag in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to indie pop star D4vd. Beneath the bag, a plastic garbage sack contained the victim's limbs. Two fingers from her left hand were missing—one bore a tattoo of the musician's name. The vehicle had been impounded and moved to a police lot, where the remains were discovered. Surveillance footage allegedly showed D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, as the last person to drive the car. The discovery set off a media firestorm and led to charges that have shocked fans worldwide.

A Relationship That Turned Deadly

According to a 9-page affidavit unsealed by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo, D4vd first met Hernandez when she was 11 years old. Prosecutors allege he began sexually abusing her when she turned 13 and he was 18. The relationship continued until her death. In the weeks before the murder, Hernandez allegedly sent D4vd messages threatening to expose their relationship and "destroy his life." On April 22, 2025, a heated text argument erupted over D4vd's involvement with other women. The next day, April 23, prosecutors say D4vd called an Uber to bring Hernandez to his home in the Hollywood Hills, then sent her texts asking where she was—a ruse, they claim, to create a false trail.

A Premeditated Cover-Up

Prosecutors allege that after stabbing Hernandez multiple times inside his home, D4vd set about methodically destroying evidence. He had already ordered, under a pseudonym, a blue inflatable pool, two chainsaws, a body bag, a shovel, and a metal burn cage—all delivered to his residence after the killing. The affidavit states that D4vd placed the victim's body in the inflatable pool inside his garage "to prevent blood from spilling onto the floor." He then used a chainsaw and possibly other tools to dismember the corpse. The burn cage, prosecutors say, was intended to incinerate evidence.

Legal Maneuvers and a Court Appearance

D4vd appeared in court on Wednesday wearing an orange jail jumpsuit and handcuffs, speaking only to answer "Yes, Your Honor" when asked if he agreed to postpone the preliminary hearing until late May. His defense attorneys had fought to keep the affidavit sealed, arguing that the intense publicity would deny their client a fair trial. Judge Olmedo allowed the document's release but kept other evidence under seal. D4vd's legal team maintains his innocence, stating they will prove the evidence does not link him to the teenager's death. Despite the graphic allegations, the musician has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including murder, child abuse, and evidence tampering.

From TikTok Stardom to Infamy

Before his arrest, D4vd was a rising star in the indie pop scene, amassing millions of streams on TikTok with hits like "Romantic Homicide" and "Here With Me." His sudden fame had earned him a global tour and a devoted fan base. After the discovery of Hernandez's remains, the tour was canceled, and D4vd withdrew from public life. The case has drawn international attention, in part because of the contrast between the musician's wholesome image and the brutality of the allegations. The prosecution's narrative—of a young star who groomed a child, then murdered and dismembered her to protect his career—has dominated headlines in Greece and beyond.

The Next Chapter in a Shocking Case

The preliminary hearing is set for late May 2025, where prosecutors will present the evidence they intend to use at trial. The defense is expected to challenge the admissibility of the online purchases and the surveillance footage. Meanwhile, Hernandez's family has called for justice, though they have not spoken publicly since the affidavit was released. The case raises unsettling questions about the intersection of fame, power, and exploitation. For now, the legal process will determine whether the star who sang of "Romantic Homicide" will be convicted of the real thing.

The bottom line

• D4vd, 21, is accused of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, with whom he allegedly had a sexual relationship starting when she was 13.
• The killing occurred on April 23, 2025, after a text argument; the body was dismembered in his garage using a chainsaw and other tools.
• The remains were found in September 2025 in the trunk of D4vd's Tesla; two fingers with a tattoo of his name were never recovered.
• Prosecutors allege D4vd purchased a blow-up pool, chainsaws, a body bag, a shovel, and a burn cage online under a false name to dispose of evidence.
• D4vd has pleaded not guilty; his defense argues the evidence does not link him to the death and that pretrial publicity threatens a fair trial.
• The case has ended D4vd's music career; his global tour was canceled after the discovery of the body.