21-year-old artist D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, has been detained and is currently held by the Los Angeles Department without the opportunity for bail. Burke was arrested shortly after 4:30 p.m. at a house on Marmont Avenue in the Hollywood Hills due to having connections to the death of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was found in his Tesla back in September. The arrest has been made based on evidence and probable cause, which has developed through the investigation, not an indictment. He is faced with multiple charges, including first degree murder, murder for financial gain, murdering a witness to an investigation, performing sexual acts with a minor, and the mutilation of a body.
“We did the best we could to keep tabs on him, but once we developed probable cause to arrest him for murder, then we were on him pretty diligently,” clarified LAPD Capt. Scot Williams. After Hernandez’s body was uncovered in the trunk of his car, he’s been a constant target of investigation.
As such, the earlier classified cause of death that had been uncovered during the investigation has now been revealed to be homicide, although the method has not yet been revealed.
The LAPD said the case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on Monday for filing consideration. In response, Burke’s attorneys have come out and stated, “Let us be clear—the actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez, and he was not the cause of her death. There has been no indictment returned by any grand jury in this case and no criminal complaint filed. David has only been detained under suspicion. We will vigorously defend David’s innocence.”
In response, Hernandez’s family attorney has responded that they intend to “fully participate” in the court proceedings. “The Rivas Hernandez family is committed to ensuring that Celeste’s voice is heard and her memory is honored throughout this process,” the attorney, Patrick Steinfeld, said in a statement.
Burke’s spokesperson claimed he was in full cooperation with the investigation, and he canceled the U.S. tour he was in the middle of back in September. Further information should be revealed as court proceedings move forward; as of yet, his detainment is the largest step in the case in over four months.
