US singer D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, faces escalating legal troubles amid new allegations tied to the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. During a recent court hearing, prosecutors revealed that a "significant amount" of child sex abuse images were found on Burke's phone and iCloud account as part of the investigation into Hernandez's death. The teen's dismembered body was discovered in September 2025 in Burke's Tesla after police responded to reports of a foul odour coming from the vehicle. Hernandez had been missing for five months, with her last known location linked to Burke's Hollywood Hills home.
Authorities allege that Burke sexually abused Hernandez before murdering her, reportedly to protect his music career. He has pleaded not guilty to seven charges, including murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and mutilation of remains. While no separate charges have been filed yet regarding the abuse images, investigations into the material are ongoing. Burke, known for hits like Romantic Homicide and Here With Me, was on tour when the body was found and has since withdrawn from public life, with his global tour cancelled. His defense team claims they will "vigorously defend" him and expects the evidence will lead to his exoneration.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office says it holds substantial forensic evidence, though no grand jury indictment has been issued. Hernandez's parents, Jesus Rivas and Mercedes Martinez, said in a statement: "Celeste was a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance. We miss her deeply. All we want is justice for Celeste."
David Anthony Burke stands accused of murdering a girl who loved to sing while he built a career on songs about love and death, making his alleged actions a grotesque betrayal of the art he profited from. The images found on his devices were discovered only because of a murder investigation, not through proactive monitoring, raising questions about how such material remains undetected until tragedy forces it into view. Celeste Rivas Hernandez's parents lost their daughter to violence linked to a rising music star, not some distant stranger. Her dreams of singing and dancing ended in a Tesla, while the man accused of silencing her once sang about romance and homicide as if they were just lyrics.
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