SINGER D4vd’s alleged obsession with murder and his so-called killer alter ego could be used – alongside a trove of digital and physical evidence – to pin him for the death of a 14-year-old girl after a seven-month investigation.
The 21-year-old singer faces the death penalty if convicted of killing teenager Celeste Rivas Hernandez in April 2025 and mutilating her remains.
David Anthony Burke, 21, has been charged with the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez Credit: Reuters
D4vd released his debut album, Withered, in April 2025, with themes of decay, love, and death Credit: YouTube / d4vd
A scene from D4vd’s music video for Romantic Homicide featuring dark, bloody imagery Credit: YouTube / d4vd
D4vd, whose real name is , is facing three counts, including first-degree murder with special circumstances, along with additional felony charges, after the 14-year-old’s decomposing body was found in the trunk of his Tesla in September 2025.
An released this week revealed that Celeste’s head and torso were found in a “large, black zippered body bag with handles.”
Her arms and legs — severed above the elbows and knees — were discovered in a separate trash bag in the trunk.
D4vd has to all charges and remains behind bars in solitary confinement awaiting trial.
Prosecutors say they have 40 terabytes of to turn over in the case.
The evidence is so large that the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division has been attempting to upload its case file for up to five weeks and has completed only 30 percent so far, despite using multiple computers.
It includes forensic material, witness testimony from three and what prosecutors have described as a “significant amount” of found on the singer’s phone.
It is not known whether the images depict Celeste, whom officials allege was being abused by D4vd since she was at least 13.
The Los Angeles District Attorney outlined the case during a press conference on Monday, alleging that Celeste was lured to on April 23, 2025, before he was accused of killing her.
Investigators also offered a disturbing glimpse into the alleged motive, claiming Celeste was a witness to his “lewd and lascivious sexual acts.”
Prosecutors allege he killed her after she “threatened” his lucrative music career, suggesting she planned to go to police about
The , with the singer performing several shows themed around murder after Celeste is believed to have been killed with a “sharp instrument.”
A chilling YouTube interview also shows him discussing the creation of a killer alter ego — even referencing a body being placed in the trunk of a car.
Social media users have since been piecing together details suggesting he cultivated a dark fantasy that prosecutors argue later became a horrifying reality.
As D4vd’s high-powered legal team prepares its defense, The U.S. Sun examines how prosecutors may attempt to meet the legal threshold of proving the case beyond a reasonable doubt when it goes to trial.
Celeste Rivas’s body was dismembered and placed in two bags that were found in the trunk of a D4vd’s Tesla after it was taken to a tow yard Credit: Family Handout
Forensic evidence
Autopsy findings, which will be central to the case, were finally released this week –– months after being sealed.
The report lists the cause of death as “multiple penetrating injuries caused by object(s)” and rules the manner of death a homicide.
Investigators would look to forensic evidence to directly tie to the killing.
Most critically, they would compare any wounds — described as sharp force injuries — to a possible weapon, examining blade size, depth, and pattern to see if it matches a knife or object linked to him.
The report from the Los Angeles Medical Examiner revealed there was a stab wound on her right upper abdomen that was around 1.5 inches deep and perforated her liver.
A second stab wound on her lower left chest was at least two inches deep.
Parts of Celeste’s arms and legs were amputated and placed in a separate bag in the trunk.
Her left ring and pinky fingers were also “mutilated” and never recovered.
She was wearing a tube top with multiple holes in both the front and back, along with black leggings, underwear, and socks.
DNA evidence is also key: his DNA could be recovered from under the victim’s fingernails (suggesting a struggle), on her clothing, or at the scene, while her blood or tissue on his belongings, car, or residence would be highly incriminating.
Investigators would also analyze fingerprints or touch DNA on items used in the crime or in the disposal of remains.
Digital evidence
The case against D4vd is also expected to lean heavily on digital forensic evidence.
He has previously described himself in interviews as an “internet guy,” and uses multiple platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, and Discord, along with other messaging and social media services where group chats and private communications may be scrutinized.
Phone extraction data will be important — including texts, call logs, app activity, and any deleted messages that may have been recovered through forensic tools.
Investigators are able to subpoena records directly from social media companies, even if content has been deleted or accounts altered.
Cloud backups, metadata, and device search history are also likely to be part of the bigger digital trail, building a picture of movements, contacts, and activity in the lead-up to the discovery of the body.
Singer David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, looks on during his arraignment at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles Credit: Reuters
Witness testimony
Detailed grand jury testimony in the case has not been made public, as proceedings are legally secret, but reporting confirms several key witnesses appeared, including D4vd’s close associate Neo Langston.
Langston was compelled to testify after initially failing to show up.
Other witnesses are believed to include members of D4vd’s inner circle and management team, who were questioned about his relationship with victim Celeste, his movements, and his behavior before and after her death.
While the exact statements remain sealed, prosecutors are understood to be using this testimony to help establish a timeline, motive, and corroboration of physical and digital evidence ahead of trial.
During the status conference, it was revealed there were three grand juries they were convened in November, December, and February.
Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani previously told The U.S. Sun the was likely due to investigators trying desperately to get his friends to talk.
“Beth Silverman [Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney] and the DA’s Office want to flip members of D4vd’s inner circle to cooperate against the singer,” he claimed.
“That is why they convened a grand jury – to question members of his entourage under penalty of perjury.
“By locking in their testimony, they won’t be able to change their story or otherwise go sideways at trial.”
Artistic output
The court may hear evidence relating to his public persona and reported “alter ego,” after comments he is said to have made in interviews.
D4vd sat down for an interview wit Mahogany on YouTube in March 2025, a month before Celeste was allegedly killed, and spoke about his love of anime and manga.
“A big part of that manga was an evil version of me, named Itami, which means pain in Japanese, and he wears his blindfold and he’s basically an agent of chaos, and kind of my alter ego,” he said.
He explained he was a detective and had to solve murders his evil alter ego committed.
D4vd then explored it further with his music, including the video for , which featured on his debut album.
In a chilling moment in the interview, he discussed how Itami is “holding a knife,” and bloody material, before being with a “sharp instrument,” according to the criminal complaint.
He added, “You got the girl who’s basically like the ghost of the person that he killed was his first victim in the manga. And I put that all on screen.”
Itami features in most of his music videos, with him boasting it had become a “movement” and fans were showing up to his shows in bloody shirts and blindfolds.
His alter-ego is also seen stuffing D4vd into the trunk of a car in the promo for his song, One More Dance.
After Celeste is said to have been killed, the singer continued with his Withered Tour, with a theatrical funeral theme, even reportedly bringing in a casket, floral arrangements, and a notepad for fan letters to the deceased.
Prosecutors may look at his artistic output, including lyrics about murder, to argue he had a killer mindset.
The defense, however, will likely push back hard, arguing the material is purely artistic expression and performance, and not evidence of real-life intent or action.
The gruesome discovery of Celeste’s remains took place at a tow yard in Hollywood, after staff reported a foul smell coming from the Tesla Credit: KABC
Location and movement data
A major part of the prosecution’s case is expected to center on digital location evidence, including GPS data, cell tower records, and any available device tracking information.
This can be used to build a minute-by-minute timeline of events.
Vehicle data from the Tesla, ride-share records, or other transport records could also be examined if relevant, particularly where movement between key locations is disputed.
Prosecutors often use this category of evidence to corroborate or challenge witness accounts.
Timeline of the Celeste Rivas case
April 2024 – Celeste Rivas Hernandez, 13, is reported missing from Lake Elsinore, California.
August 5, 2025 – D4vd starts his Withered World Tour.
August 27: A traffic officer marks D4vd’s Tesla over an issue relating to its tires.
September 3: D4vd’s Tesla given a citation.
September 5– D4vd’s Tesla is towed to a Hollywood yard.
September 7 – Rivas turns 15 years old.
September 8 – The Los Angeles Police Department discovered a dismembered body wrapped in plastic in the trunk of D4vd’s impounded Tesla.
September 17 – The decomposing body is identified as Celeste Rivas.
September 18 – D4vd’s house is searched overnight, and investigators take a computer and other evidence. D4vd continues his tour with a show in Seattle. Rivas’s family breaks their silence on their GoFundMe page.
September 19 – D4vd cancels the rest of his tour.g
September 23 – Rivas’s body is released to her family. It’s revealed that D4vd and his manager have broken their lease and left the house that was raided in Hollywood.
October 6 – Rivas is buried in a private funeral ceremony in Rowland Heights, California.
April 16 – D4vd arrested on suspicion of murder.
April 20 – The singer pleaded not guilty during his first court appearance.
April 22 – The autopsy report for Celeste reveals her death was ruled a homicide.
April 23 – D4vd appeared in court for a status conference as prosecutors claimed to have discovered child sexual abuse images in his phone.
Surveillance footage
There have been many rumors online about what CCTV footage exists, after photographs showed security cameras outside of D4vd’s rental property in the Hollywood Hills.
The singer had been living at the lavish $20,000-a-month home since February 2024, and moved out after Celeste’s body was found in his Tesla.
Owner Malden Trifunovic told TMZ the security cameras were installed years before D4vd’s tenancy, and covered entry points, the backyard, and the street, where his Tesla was often parked.
In October 2025, the LAPD seized from this home as part of an investigation.
There may also be other video footage police obtained from neighbors.
Private investigator Steve Fiser, who was hired by Trifunovic, claimed he obtained CCTV footage showing an unidentified person driving D4vd’s Tesla around July 29, 2025, before it was abandoned with Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s body inside.
Fiser claims the video shows the driver wearing distinctive clothing, and he turned this evidence over to the LAPD.
Attorney Patrick W. Steinfeld and family members of Celeste Rivas Hernandez are seeing leaving singer D4vd’s court hearing Credit: Reuters
Celeste Rivas was a teen runaway when she was allegedly killed by the rising star after they engaged in a sexual relationship Credit: GoFundMe
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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