Singer D4vd charged with first-degree murder and other crimes in Celeste Rivas Hernandez killing

Nbcwashington · Apr 20, 2026 · 1169 words · By Jonathan Lloyd

Criminal Justice Reporting Celebrity Crime

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What to know about Criminal Justice Reporting

What to Know - The singer known as D4vd has been arrested in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas, who was reported missing in the spring of 2025.

Claims checked 27

Techniques found 2

Topics 2

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left0%

Center67%

Right33%

3 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

What to Know - The singer known as D4vd has been arrested in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas, who was reported missing in the spring of 2025.

Why it matters

- The Lake Elsinore girl's decomposed body was found Sept.

Common ground

8 in the front trunk of a Tesla impounded at a Los Angeles tow yard.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Selective Omission: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this Criminal Justice Reporting story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that Burke also was charged with mutilation of human remains?
How does this story connect Criminal Justice Reporting with Celebrity Crime over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/d4vd-arrest-charges-ce…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 2 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning

Loaded Language 80% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Selective Omission 70% confidence

Deliberately leaving out important context or facts that would change interpretation.

Why it matters: Recognizing selective omission helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 27 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 17

check_circle Corroborated 8

help Insufficient Evidence 2

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Claim 1: “Burke also was charged with mutilation of human remains.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 2: “Hochman and LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said Celeste, who had been reported missing in Riverside County, visited Burke's Hollywood Hills home April 23, 2025.”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was gathered for this claim, and no relevant evidence was found in the provided search results to confirm or deny the statement that Hochman and LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell stated Celeste visited Burke's Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025.

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Claim 3: “The car was impounded after someone reported it was abandoned in the Hollywood Hills, where neighbors say it had been parked for more than a month.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple web search results indicate the car was impounded after being reported abandoned in the Hollywood Hills area, with neighbors claiming it had been parked for an extended period.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — David Anthony Burke (born March 28, 2005), known professionally as d4vd, is an American singer-songwriter. Born in New York City and raised in Houston, Texas, Burke began composing music in 2021 for h…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D4vd

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — On September 8, 2025, the remains of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez were discovered in Los Angeles, California, inside the front trunk of an impounded Tesla registered to David Anthony Burke, a m…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Celeste_Rivas_Hernand…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Tesla Diner is a restaurant on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles operated by Tesla, Inc. It serves traditional American cuisine such as burgers, hot dogs, and French fries and includes a drive…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Diner

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 4: “The special circumstances allegations, which can increase penalties at sentencing, include lying in wait, murder for financial gain and murdering a witnesses in an investigation, Hochman said.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 5: “Celeste was considered the key witness in that investigation, warranting the allegation of murdering a witness, he said.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 6: “Born in Queens, New York, Burke moved to Texas in his early teens and gained a following on YouTube playing Fortnite and other online games.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 7: “They were found a day after what would have been Celeste's 15th birthday.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 8: “The Lake Elsinore girl's decomposed body was found Sept. 8 in the front trunk of a Tesla impounded at a Los Angeles tow yard.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources confirm that Celeste Rivas Hernandez's decomposed body was found on September 8, 2025, in the front trunk of an impounded Tesla registered to D4vd.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The following is a list of events of the year 2026 in the United States, as well as predicted and scheduled events that have not yet occurred. July 4, 2026, will be the 250th anniversary of the signin…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_in_the_United_States

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+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 9: “Police said Celeste's death likely occurred in the spring of last year.”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was gathered for this claim, and no relevant evidence was found in the provided search results to confirm or deny the statement that police said Celeste's death likely occurred in the spring of the previous year.

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Claim 10: “Celeste, who disappeared in the Lake Elsinore area in 2024, was identified through forensics.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 11: “Burke was arrested Thursday at a home near the Chateau Marmont, the legendary Hollywood hotel.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 12: “In November, an LAPD source with direct knowledge of the investigation told NBC4 Investigates that the Houston-raised artist has not been cooperative in the investigation.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 13: “Hochman said possible sentences, if Burke is convicted as charged, include life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 14: “The 'Romantic Homicide' singer's world tour was in Minneapolis at the time of the discovery with a stop in Kansas City the next day.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 15: “D4vd released his debut album "Withered" in April 2025 and embarked on a world tour.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 16: “D4vd is a singer-songwriter who rose to fame with viral hits on TikTok, where he has 3.8 million followers.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 17: “The singer known as D4vd has been arrested in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas, who was reported missing in the spring of 2025.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources confirm that D4vd was charged in connection with the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. While the claim specifies the arrest and the date of disappearance (spring of 2025), the evidence confirms the charges and the victim's identity and the general timeline surrounding the discovery of the body. The evidence points to charges related to the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — "Crashing" is a song by American singers D4vd and Kali Uchis, released on February 28, 2025, as the third single from D4vd's debut studio album, Withered. The music video was directed by Kenneth Cappe…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crashing_(D4vd_and_Kali_Uchis_…

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+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 18: “The financial gain allegation stemmed from the singer's music career, which was being threatened by his alleged sexual relationship with the underage girl, Hochman said.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 19: “The grand jury documents, including subpoenas for the testimony of Burke’s mother, father, and brother, said Celeste’s remains were not intact.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 20: “The vehicle was impounded after it had been parked for an extended period in a Hollywood Hills neighborhood not far from a rental property where Burke had been living.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources confirm the Tesla was impounded after being parked for an extended period in the Hollywood Hills area, near a location associated with Burke.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Burke’s 2023 Tesla Model Y was parked on a residential street in the affluent Bird Streets neighbourhood of the Hollywood Hills. Under Los Angeles municipal code, vehicles cannot remain stationary on …
https://www.news18.com/movies/hollywood/how-tesla-parking-vi…

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web search NEUTRAL — The Tesla was originally impounded after it had been parked on a Hollywood Hills street for more than 72 hours. A neighbour told CBS News that the Tesla had been abandoned for weeks. "It just smelled …
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/decomposed-body-found-i…

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web search NEUTRAL — Her body was found on Sept. 8, a day before she would have turned 15, in a Tesla registered to Burke that had been towed to an impound lot from the Hollywood Hills, where it had been parked for severa…
https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/article/d4vd-arrested-months-a…

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Claim 21: “Prosecutors and police say Celeste, reported missing in Riverside County, visited Burke's Hollywood Hills home April 23, 2025 and was "never heard from" again.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources confirm that Celeste Rivas, reported missing in Riverside County, visited David Burke's Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025, and was never seen again. This specific date and location are corroborated across multiple search results and Wikipedia entries.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Corey Jackson (born 1982) is an American politician currently serving in the California State Assembly. A member of the Democratic Party, he represents California's 60th State Assembly district, which…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corey_Jackson_(politician)

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+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 22: “Burke was arrested Thursday in the death of the 14-year-old Lake Elsinore girl whose remains were found in September in the front storage area of an abandoned Tesla registered to Burke.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources confirm that David Burke (D4vd) was arrested regarding the death of the 14-year-old girl whose remains were found in September in his Tesla. The timing (Thursday/arrest) and the details of the discovery (September, Tesla, 14-year-old) are consistently reported.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — David Anthony Burke was arrested Thursday on suspicion of murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez whose decomposed remains were found in the singer’s Tesla in Hollywood.
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c3v60439wlwt

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web search NEUTRAL — Singer D4vd has been charged with murder in the death of a 14-year-old girl whose dismembered and decomposed body was found in September in his apparently abandoned Tesla. The Los Angeles county distr…
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/apr/20/singer-d4vd-ch…

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web search NEUTRAL — The development in the months-long investigation comes after D4vd, a 21-year-old TikTok star whose legal name is David Burke, was identified by authorities in November as a suspect in connection with …
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/singer-d4vd-arrested-i…

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Claim 23: “She was last seen April 5, 2024, in the western Riverside County community.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 24: “In an interview on the "Zach Sang Show," D4vd said the 4 substituted for the a in his name was for search-engine optimization and a representation of four cinematic universes with various characters that he was creating.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 25: “Her decomposed body was found Sept. 8 after workers at Hollywood Tow reported a strong odor coming from the Tesla registered to the singer.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 26: “David Burke, also known as D4vd, faces a first-degree murder charge and special circumstances allegations of lying in wait, murder for financial gain and murdering a witnesses in an investigation.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources confirm D4vd faces charges including first-degree murder and special circumstances. While the claim lists 'lying in wait,' 'murder for financial gain,' and 'murdering a witness,' the evidence corroborates the seriousness of the charges, including first-degree murder and special circumstances, making the core elements of the claim accurate based on the evidence provided.

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web search NEUTRAL — David is really straight forward and honest, which is rear in the night city that made Lucy slowly fell for him. For the people in Night City, virginity is not a thing to consider, but the the way to …
https://www.reddit.com/r/Edgerunners/comments/xr5gyx/was_dav…

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web search NEUTRAL — This post contains a breakdown of the rules and guidelines for every user on The David Pakman Show subreddit. Make sure to read and abide by them. General requests from the moderators: Before you read…
https://www.reddit.com/r/thedavidpakmanshow/

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web search NEUTRAL — Apr 28, 2024 · Lucille Ball telling David Sheehan to stop touching the audience (1978)
https://www.reddit.com/r/OldSchoolCool/comments/1cfb2kc/luci…

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Claim 27: “District Attorney Nathan Hochman said at the Monday news conference that D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, will face a first-degree murder charge, including special circumstances, and other charges in the teen's death.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources confirm that District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated that D4vd (David Burke) would face first-degree murder charges, including special circumstances, related to the teen's death.

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web search NEUTRAL — Hochman, speaking Monday, said Burke's first-degree murder charge would come with special circumstances, stemming from aggravating factors including "lying in wait," murdering for ...
https://www.wbtw.com/news/d4vd-to-be-charged-with-1st-degree…

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web search NEUTRAL — D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, is charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances, lewd and lascivious acts with an individual under 14, and mutilating a body.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/news/los-angeles-county-da-ho…

+ 1 more evidence source

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.