Who was Celeste Rivas Hernandez? D4vd arrested in teen’s killing

A singer-songwriter and TikTok star remains in the spotlight facing felony charges after police said a missing teenage California girl was found in the trunk of his Tesla.

D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, was arrested on suspicion of murder in connection to the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was discovered in the fall of 2025, the Los Angeles Police Department reported.

Burke, 21, remained jailed without bond on April 17, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Office told USA TODAY, and was scheduled to appear in court for filing consideration in the case on April 20, the LAPD said.

It was not immediately known whether Burke had obtained an attorney in the case, and his representatives have not responded to multiple requests from USA TODAY for comment.

But who was Celeste Rivas Hernandez? When did she disappear? Here's what we know so far about the victim.

Who was Celeste Rivas Hernandez?

Rivas Hernandez disappeared from her Southern California home at age 13. She reportedly last contacted her family sometime in 2024, according to police.

The medical examiner listed Celeste’s age as 15 at the time of her death, but her body was discovered in the Tesla one day after her birthday, the LA Times reported. Los Angeles police said her body was "severely decomposed, suggesting she died while she was still 14."

At the time of her death, Rivas Hernandez was wearing a tube top, a pair of black leggings, a yellow metal stud earring, and a yellow metal chain bracelet, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner reported in a statement shared with USA TODAY on Sept. 18.

Where did Celeste Rivas Hernandez live?

Rivas Hernandez was from Lake Elsinore, California.

The city is in western Riverside County, about 70 miles southeast of Los Angeles.

When did Celeste Rivas Hernandez disappear?

The teen became the subject of a missing person's investigation in April 2024, more than a year before she died, authorities previously told USA TODAY.

At the time, Riverside County Sheriff's Office deputies were dispatched to the girl's home after being notified of a runaway, Lt. Deirdre Vickers previously told USA TODAY. Authorities were later told the teen left the address in an unknown direction.

The case was entered into the sheriff's office's missing persons database after deputies were unable to locate Rivas Hernandez following a search of the immediate area, Vickers said.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.