Los Angeles Grand Jury Targets Singer D4vd After Teen’s Body Found in His Tesla
Updated (2 articles)
Grand Jury Labels D4vd a Target Without Indictment Unsealed filings on Feb 26 2026 identify singer David Anthony Burke (stage name D4vd) as a grand‑jury “target” in the murder probe of 14‑year‑old Celeste Rivas Hernandez; prosecutors have not filed an indictment or formally named him a suspect, and the investigation remains secret [1][2].
Victim’s Decomposed Remains Discovered Inside D4vd’s Registered Tesla On Sept 8 2025, LAPD found a cadaver bag containing the head, torso, arms and legs of Celeste Rivas Hernandez in the front boot of a Tesla registered to D4vd’s Texas address; investigators noted a strong odor of decay, flies, and the body had been dead for several weeks, prompting a security hold by the county medical examiner [1][2].
Family Subpoenas Issued and Texas Judge Rejects Objections Subpoenas issued Jan 15 2026 require D4vd’s mother, father Dawud Burke, and brother Caleb to testify before the California grand jury; a Texas judge denied the family’s objections and ordered their appearance, while Dawud contested the out‑of‑state summons, claiming the notice was redacted and violated due‑process rights [1][2].
D4vd Cooperates Yet Remains Silent as Career Falters Representatives state D4vd is cooperating with authorities, but he has offered no public comment; CBS confirmed he had a romantic relationship with the victim, and after the discovery he briefly continued a U.S. tour before canceling remaining shows and a planned European leg amid intense media scrutiny [1][2].
Sources
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1.
Newsweek: Los Angeles Grand Jury Names Singer D4vd as Investigation Target in Teen’s Death: outlines the grand‑jury target designation, discovery of the teen’s body in D4vd’s Tesla, family subpoenas, career repercussions, and confirmed romantic link .
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2.
BBC: D4vd Targeted in Grand Jury Murder Probe: emphasizes the secret grand‑jury process, father’s legal challenge to the subpoena, the security hold on case details, D4vd’s cooperation without comment, and ongoing investigation .
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Timeline
2024 – Celeste Rivas Hernandez disappears in Los Angeles, prompting a missing‑person investigation that later links her to singer D4vd [2].
Sep 8, 2025 – Police open the front boot of a Tesla registered to D4vd’s Texas address and find a cadaver bag containing the decomposed head, torso, arms and legs of the 14‑year‑old victim, confirming she died weeks earlier [1][2].
Sep 2025 – LAPD describe the scene as “a strong odor of decay, flies and a black cadaver bag” and note the gruesome condition of the remains [2].
Sep 2025 – While on a U.S. tour, D4vd performs several shows after the discovery but subsequently cancels the remainder of his concerts and a planned European tour as media scrutiny intensifies [2].
Sep 2025 – Authorities confirm that D4vd and Hernandez had been in a romantic relationship, though the duration remains unclear [2].
Jan 15, 2026 – A Los Angeles County grand jury issues subpoenas ordering D4vd’s mother, father and brother to appear in California to testify, and a Texas judge rejects the family’s objections [2].
Feb 26, 2026 – Grand jury documents label singer D4vd as a “target” in the murder probe, indicating he may be involved in one count of murder, though no indictment or charge is filed [1][2].
Feb 26, 2026 – D4vd’s father Dawud Burke contests the out‑of‑state subpoena in Texas, arguing the notice is redacted and violates due process [1].
Feb 26, 2026 – The county medical examiner’s office receives a court order imposing a “security hold” that bars public release of details, a measure the chief calls “virtually unheard of” [1].
Feb 26, 2026 – Prosecutors describe the family’s testimony as “material and necessary,” while the secret grand‑jury investigation continues without a public indictment [1].