April 20, 2026: Singer D4vd Charged With Capital Murder of 14-Year-Old Girl

Victim's decomposed and dismembered remains found in D4vd's vehicle

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced that musician David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, was charged today with murdering 14-year-old Celeste R., whose body was found decomposed and dismembered in his car that had been impounded in September 2025.

"Celeste was just a child, under 14 years old, when David Burke allegedly engaged in repeated lewd and lascivious sexual relations with her," District Attorney Hochman said. "But Burke's actions did not allegedly stop there. When she threatened to expose his criminal conduct and devastate his musical career, Burke allegedly murdered her, cut up her body and stuffed her body in two bags that were placed in the front trunk of his car. There the dismembered body sat for over four months decomposing until it was found at a tow yard on Sept. 8, 2025. This horrific and gruesome murder committed by the charged sexual predator is shocking and appalling. To Celeste's loved ones, we will get the justice you seek and deserve."

Burke (dob 3/28/05) was charged in case 26CJCF02399 with one count each of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains.

The criminal complaint also includes special circumstance allegations of murder of a witness, murder for financial gain and lying in wait as well as a special allegation that Burke personally used a deadly and dangerous weapon, a sharp instrument, to commit the crime.

Arraignment is scheduled for today in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

On April 23, 2025, Burke invited the victim to his home in Hollywood Hills. Celeste R. arrived at the defendant's house and was never seen again.

On Sept. 8, 2025, the victim's decomposed and dismembered remains were found in the front trunk of a car registered to Burke that had been impounded after the vehicle had been reported abandoned.

If convicted as charged, Burke faces death or life in state prison without the possibility of parole. A decision on whether to seek the death penalty will be made at a later date.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman of the Major Crimes Division and remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department's Robbery-Homicide Division.

The charges filed in this case are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.