You've probably seen the headlines or the frantic TikTok theories. It's the kind of story that feels too dark for the guy who gave us "Romantic Homicide." For months now, the internet has been spiraling over one massive question: has d4vd been arrested? Let’s be extremely clear right out of the gate: No. As of January 15, 2026, David Anthony Burke—the 20-year-old artist better known as d4vd—has not been arrested. He has not been booked into a Los Angeles jail, and he hasn't been formally charged with a crime.
But that doesn't mean things are okay. Far from it.
Honestly, the situation is a mess. It’s a mix of a missing person case, a gruesome discovery in a Hollywood tow yard, and a secret grand jury that’s currently deciding the singer’s fate. If you’re looking for a simple "yes or no," you’ve got it. But if you want to understand why his career just evaporated and why prosecutors are using words like "murder," we have to look at the details that have surfaced since that horrifying day in September.
The Discovery That Changed Everything
It started with a smell. On September 8, 2025, workers at a tow yard in Hollywood noticed a "foul odor" coming from a black Tesla. The car had been sitting there for five days after being impounded from Bluebird Avenue in the Hollywood Hills. It was registered to David Anthony Burke.
When police opened the "frunk"—the front trunk—they found something no one expected.
Inside was the body of a young girl, wrapped in a plastic bag. She was later identified as 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. She had been reported missing from Lake Elsinore way back in April 2024.
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The timeline is where things get really heavy. While the body was found in September, investigators believe Celeste actually died much earlier, potentially in the spring of 2025. This means a corpse was allegedly sitting in d4vd's car while it was parked in a residential neighborhood for over a month.
Is d4vd a Suspect?
Yes. While he hasn't been arrested, the LAPD has officially labeled d4vd a "suspect" in what they are now calling a murder investigation.
Early on, his representatives told the media he was "fully cooperating." But as the months dragged on, the tone from law enforcement changed. By November 2025, sources within the LAPD were telling outlets like The Guardian and People that the singer had actually stopped being cooperative.
Why Prosecutors are Pushing for Charges
- The Hollywood Hills House: Police executed a search warrant at a home Burke was renting. They reportedly found a "burn cage" incinerator and seized computers.
- The Connection: This wasn't a random victim. Celeste’s brother told reporters that the family knew she was talking to a "David" and that she was supposedly going to see a movie with him before she vanished.
- The Tattoos: There are reports that d4vd and Celeste actually had matching tattoos, suggesting a much deeper—and legally problematic—relationship given her age.
- The Trip: Investigators are hyper-focused on a trip d4vd took to Santa Barbara County in early 2025, which they believe might be linked to the timeline of Celeste's death.
The Secret Grand Jury of 2026
Right now, we are in a "holding pattern." A grand jury was convened in Los Angeles in late 2025 to hear evidence. This is essentially a group of citizens who look at everything the DA has—digital records, witness testimony, and forensic data—to decide if there's enough to go to trial.
Beth Silverman, a high-profile prosecutor known for handling tough cases, is reportedly leading the charge. She’s pushing for murder charges.
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Grand jury proceedings are famously secret, but we know they've been questioning people close to him. Robert Morgan-Roth, a top executive at d4vd's record label, reportedly testified for an entire day in December. The DA was apparently grilled him on why the label didn't report anything and why they tried to keep the tour moving even after the car was impounded.
The Silent Career Implosion
You don't need a pair of handcuffs to see that d4vd’s life has changed. Since the body was found, he’s basically vanished from the public eye.
His "Withered World Tour" was scrapped mid-run. His label, Darkroom Records (the same one that launched Billie Eilish), has quietly scrubbed him from their active roster list. Even the gaming world is distancing itself; his song "What Are You Waiting For" was pulled from the Madden NFL 26 soundtrack.
It’s a bizarre, quiet ending for a kid who started out making music on his sister’s iPhone for Fortnite montages.
What Happens Next?
The grand jury is expected to continue hearing witnesses through February 2026. If they vote to indict, that’s when the arrest will finally happen.
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If you are following this case, the next big thing to look for is the release of the Medical Examiner's report. Currently, there is a "security hold" on Celeste’s autopsy. We don't officially know how she died. The LAPD fought to keep that report sealed, likely because it contains "hold-back" evidence—details only the killer would know.
What to Watch For
- The Indictment: If the grand jury votes "true bill," an arrest warrant will be issued immediately.
- The Cause of Death: Once the security hold is lifted, we will know if this was an accidental overdose or something more violent.
- The Label's Statement: Expect a formal "dropping" of the artist if charges are filed.
It's easy to get caught up in the "celebrity" of it all, but at the center of this is a 15-year-old girl whose family waited over a year for answers, only to find them in the trunk of a luxury car. Whether d4vd is ever arrested depends entirely on what is on those seized hard drives and what the grand jury decides this winter.
For now, keep an eye on the Los Angeles County court filings. That's where the real news will break, not on TikTok. Keep your notifications on for official LAPD press releases, as they’ve promised that "accountability is coming."
Next Steps: If you are looking for official updates, check the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's online portal for Case No. 2025-14252. While the details are currently sealed, the status of the "Security Hold" will be the first public indicator that the investigation has moved to the next phase. You can also monitor the LAPD Newsroom for any statements regarding a "David Anthony Burke" indictment.