After months of speculation and investigations, the murder case involving a 15-year-old girl from California and American singer D4vd recently got an update. New court documents show that the singer is now the official target of the investigation.
On 26th February 2026 (Thursday), news outlets reported that a Los Angeles County grand jury investigation had named D4vd the target in the killing of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas. Last September, the teenager’s decomposed body was found in the singer’s Tesla, abandoned at a Hollywood tow yard.
The court documents say that the singer, whose real name is David Burke, may be involved in committing murder. The documents were kept secret until recently, after the court issued subpoenas seeking D4vd’s mother, father and brother to testify in the case. The Tesla was registered in the singer’s name at the address of his subpoenaed family members.
D4vd’s representatives haven’t responded to news outlets’ requests for comment on the recent update or the case. However, a judge in Texas said the singer’s family members cannot ignore the subpoenas and has ordered them to testify in the case. Keep reading for a brief timeline of the case:
8th September 2025
On 8th September 2025 (Monday), workers at a Los Angeles tow yard reported a foul odour coming from a Tesla registered to David Anthony Burke. Police would investigate the vehicle, finding a badly decomposed body in a bag in the front trunk. At the time, D4vd was on tour and said he’d cooperated with the authorities on the matter.
16th September 2025
Days after police discovered the body, authorities identified the victim as 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose family reported her missing in 2024. Netizens would later uncover details about Celeste and D4vd’s alleged connections, including speculations that the two were once romantically involved.
19th November 2025
Months after the discovery, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) names D4vd a possible suspect in connection with Celeste’s death. At the same time, the authorities officially classified the case as a murder. Meanwhile, sources say that D4vd hasn’t been cooperating in the investigations, despite his previous statement.
26th November 2025 – ongoing
Since late November, a Los Angeles County grand jury has been hearing evidence in the case. Meanwhile, the testimony has been ongoing since mid-November. D4vd has retained criminal defence attorney Blair Blerk to represent him in the case. His agency also halted his musical career amid the investigation.
As of now, investigations are ongoing, with no clear indication whether D4vd is innocent or guilty. Regardless, we hope the truth about Celeste’s death will prevail and provide closure for her family.
Sources: Billboard, Associated Press
