Rabat – On Sept. 8, local news outlets reported that a body was found inside the trunk of a Tesla 2023 model in California. According to the Guardian, the car had been sitting for weeks since the end of July in the residential streets of Hollywood Hills, until it was towed on Sept. 5. ABC News later confirmed that the car was registered under the name David Anthony Burke, otherwise known as singer D4VD. Although the car had been abandoned for weeks, it was never reported stolen.
D4VD originally promoted his music on Soundcloud. His first song, “Romantic Homicide,” was released on Sept. 7, 2022, reaching 33rd place on Billboard 100. His second song, “Here With Me,” was released on Nov. 9, 2022, reaching 60th place on Billboard 100. From here, D4VD was able to secure a loyal fanbase.
The fall from grace
“In the back of my mind, you died and I didn’t even cry,” said a lyric from “Romantic Homicide.”
“I didn’t kill her physically, but in the back of my mind she died,” says D4VD, defending his lyrics. Fans brushed off his song “Romantic Homicide” as noir lyricism. His rawness is actually what attracted most of the youth who lean towards grim artistic expression.
Even after the reports came out, authorities did not yet classify him as a person of interest. In fact, many fans attended D4VD’s concert in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which took place the day after the news came out. Seemingly unfazed, the singer was seen handing out Labubus to the crowd. Not only his fans, but also many netizens on social media held to the presumption of “innocent until proven guilty.”
On Sept. 17, NBC LosAngeles reported that the body had been identified as missing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, identified by her curly hair and a tattoo on her index finger, which matched with one of D4VD’s tattoos. The presumption of innocence was out of question.
According to TMZ, Celeste’s mother identified D4VD as Celeste’s boyfriend. In December 2023, a leaked song that circulated on Instagram and Discord resurfaced after the tragedy through TMZ. The song was titled “Celeste_Demo unfin,” and contained lyrics describing his obsession with a girl named Celeste. People online also noted that the problematic song “Romantic Homicide” was released on the birthday of the victim, which raised more concern. Other footage, which was confirmed to be legitimate, shows D4VD, accompanied by Celeste, in livestreams and pictures. More pictures show Celeste with D4VD at different events, where she’s hiding her face in almost every picture. There was serious speculation on DV4D’s involvement with a minor, though many of his acquaintances denied knowing her true age.
As of today, many people are confused as to why there haven’t been any arrests made or any transparent statement from the victim’s family or the authorities about the ongoing investigation. Although D4VD’s residence was raided by the LAPD, the singer is still not yet identified as a suspect. Does the silence mean that there is more to the story? Are the authorities holding back to avoid tainting the investigation? The death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez remains a mystery.
