Singer D4vd confirmed as 'target' of investigation into murder of teen

February 26, 2026

US singer D4vd (David Anthony Burke) has been identified as a target in a grand jury investigation following the discovery of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez's dismembered remains in a Tesla registered to his Texas address in September 2025. The vehicle had been impounded at a Hollywood tow yard when police responded to reports of a foul smell and found the victim's decomposed body parts in bags inside the front boot. Recently unsealed court documents revealed these details after D4vd's family members challenged California court summons requiring them to testify before the grand jury, arguing the subpoenas violated their due process rights.

Who is affected

D4vd (David Anthony Burke), the US singer identified as the investigation target
Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the 14-year-old murder victim whose remains were found
D4vd's family members: father Dawud Burke, mother Colleen Burke, and brother Caleb Burke, who were summoned to testify
Rivas Hernandez's family from Lake Elsinore, California

What action is being taken

A grand jury investigation is ongoing in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Police Department's robbery-homicide division is investigating the case
Los Angeles Police Department detectives are bringing D4vd's family members to California to testify before the grand jury
D4vd is cooperating with police according to his representatives
The Los Angeles County medical examiner's office is maintaining a security hold on the case under court order

Why it matters

This case involves the murder of a minor whose body was found dismembered and concealed in a vehicle belonging to a public figure. The investigation highlights tensions between law enforcement's desire for secrecy during grand jury proceedings and due process rights, particularly regarding out-of-state subpoenas. The use of a security hold by the medical examiner's office, described as "virtually unheard of in other counties," raises questions about transparency in high-profile cases and whether such measures actually improve legal outcomes.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC