D4vd arrested: Timeline of investigation into killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Burke, was arrested Thursday and booked without bail in connection with the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, after the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled the teen's death a homicide, authorities said.

The arrest followed a months-long investigation that began after Celeste, missing since April 2024, was identified in Sept. 2025 as the decomposed and dismembered body found inside a Tesla registered to the singer.

Here's a look at the timeline of the case:

April 5, 2024

• Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 13-year-old 7th grader, is reported missing by her family for the third time in 2024. This becomes the final reported disappearance.

May 2024

• Investigators say Celeste calls home, marking the last confirmed contact with her family.

April 25, 2025

• Singer D4vd releases his debut studio album "Withered."


• The music video for the song "One More Dance" depicts D4vd placing a bloodied body into the trunk of a car.

Sept. 8, 2025

• Prosecutors state a 2023 Tesla Model Y, registered to D4vd at a Texas address tied to his family, is towed from an upscale Hollywood Hills neighborhood where it appears abandoned.


• At a tow yard, LAPD investigators find a cadaver bag in the vehicle's front trunk, described in court documents as:


• Covered with insects


• Emitting a strong odor of decay


• Detectives partially unzip the bag and observe a decomposed head and torso.


• The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner later determines the arms and legs have been severed.


• A second black bag beneath the first contains additional dismembered body parts.


• D4vd is on tour at the time of the discovery.

Sept. 16, 2025

• The remains are identified as Celeste Rivas Hernandez.


• Investigators say Celeste has an index-finger tattoo reading "shhh...", similar to a tattoo D4vd has.

Sept. 18, 2025

• Police execute a search warrant at a Hollywood Hills home where D4vd has been staying.


• Detectives are observed removing a computer and other items, according to law enforcement sources.

Sept. 19, 2025

• D4vd cancels the remaining dates of his U.S. tour amid the escalating investigation.


• His Los Angeles concert and a scheduled appearance at the L.A. Grammy Museum (Sept. 24) are removed from venue websites.

D4vd has been arrested in connection with the murder of a teenager whose decomposing body was found in the trunk of a Tesla registered to the singer, police said.

Sept. 23, 2025

• Eyewitness News learns D4vd transfers ownership of one of his Texas homes to his mother in the prior month.

Sept. 25, 2025

• The body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez is officially released to her family for memorial services.

Sept. 29, 2025

• Celeste's death certificate is released, listing the cause of death as undetermined.


• Sources tell ABC News this is due to the advanced decomposition and dismemberment of her remains.

Nov. 18, 2025

• Law enforcement sources tell Eyewitness News that D4vd is now considered a suspect.


• Sources say he is not cooperating with investigators, despite statements from his PR representatives.


• Investigators believe the death is a homicide that occurred earlier in the year, though the cause of death remains undetermined.

Jan. 15, 2026

• D4vd's parents, Colleen and Dawud Burke, are subpoenaed to testify before a Los Angeles grand jury regarding Celeste's death.

Feb. 12, 2026

• The Burke family challenges the subpoenas in Texas, arguing they are denied due process.

Feb. 13, 2026

• A Texas appeals court denies the family's petition, requiring them to comply.

MORE COVERAGE: D4vd considered suspect in death investigation of Celeste Rivas-Hernandez, source says

Singer D4vd is considered a suspect in the death investigation of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas-Hernandez, a source told Eyewitness News.

Feb. 25, 2026

• Eyewitness News obtains Texas court documents stating D4vd is the main suspect.


• In the filings, David Burke is labeled the "Target", with allegations including: "One Count of Murder"


• Documents again detail the dismemberment, with body parts found in two bags in the vehicle's front trunk.


• The family's attorney says they are still fighting the grand jury appearance.

April 16, 2026

• D4vd (David Burke) is arrested in connection with the murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez.


• He is arrested at 5:00 PM at a Hollywood Hills residence and booked at 11:12 PM PT at LAPD's 77th Street Station.


• He is being held without bail.


• Booking records list him as 5'5", 125 lbs.

April 17, 2026

• ABC News learns through investigative sources that the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner rules Celeste's death a homicide.


• The manner of death remains unknown.


• Sources reiterate that the body is dismembered, stored in two bags and placed in the Tesla's front trunk.


• Severe decomposition from summer heat hinders determination of a specific cause.

ABC News contributed to this report.