Singer D4vd is currently under investigation by a Los Angeles County grand jury in connection with the death of a 14-year-old girl whose decomposed body was discovered in an abandoned Tesla registered under his name. Court documents revealed that prosecutors have identified the 20-year-old alt-pop artist, born in Houston as David Burke, as the focus of the inquiry, with grand jury subpoenas issued to have three of his relatives provide testimony.
The subpoenas, dated January 15, were unsealed in California, where the investigation has been shrouded in secrecy. The singer’s mother, father, and brother in Texas made the documents public after appealing the subpoenas. The court papers indicate that the “target may be involved in having committed the following criminal offenses against the laws of the State of California, specifically one count of Murder.”
The Tesla, a 2023 Model Y, was reportedly registered in D4vd’s name at the address of the family members who were subpoenaed. While authorities have refrained from naming D4vd as a suspect in the case, the deceased girl, Celeste Rivas Hernandez, was found on September 8, a day following what would have been her 15th birthday. She was reported missing by her family in 2024 from Lake Elsinore, about 112 kilometers southeast of Los Angeles.
The court documents state that investigators discovered Hernandez’s remains in a cadaver bag within the Tesla, noting signs of decomposition and insect activity. Upon inspecting the bag, a decomposed head and torso were found, along with dismembered limbs in a separate bag.
Despite the unfolding investigation, representatives for D4vd have not responded to requests for comments, and the District Attorney’s Office has declined to provide any statements. The singer’s family members have been ordered to testify in California following a judge’s ruling in Texas.
The abandoned Tesla, which had been towed from a posh Hollywood Hills neighborhood, raised suspicions. D4vd, who was on a U.S. tour at the time of the discovery, proceeded with several shows before cancelling the remainder of his concerts and a planned European tour once his connection to the case was widely publicized.
The Medical Examiner’s Office previously mentioned that Hernandez’s body was severely decomposed, indicating she had been deceased for a considerable period before being found. The cause of death remains undisclosed as a judge barred the release of autopsy findings in November.
D4vd, known for his music blending indie rock, R&B, and lo-fi pop, had gained popularity among Gen Z audiences. His viral TikTok hit, “Romantic Homicide,” propelled him to success, leading to record deals and the release of EPs and albums. The artist’s tour schedule was affected following the tragic discovery, with several performances being cancelled.
The investigation into the girl’s death continues, with authorities and legal proceedings unfolding as new details emerge.