It is the kind of story that feels like it was ripped straight from a true crime script, yet it’s been playing out in real-time across Los Angeles for months. When news first broke about a singer David body found situation, the internet went into a tailspin. We aren't talking about some obscure indie artist, either. We are talking about David Anthony Burke, known to millions of Gen Z fans as d4vd.
He’s the guy who blew up on TikTok with "Romantic Homicide." Now, that title feels hauntingly literal to many following the case.
Honestly, the details are grisly. On September 8, 2025, workers at a Hollywood tow yard noticed a stench. It wasn't just a "car sat in the sun" smell; it was unmistakable. They called the LAPD to a black Tesla that had been impounded after sitting abandoned on Bluebird Avenue in the Hollywood Hills. When officers popped the "frunk"—the front trunk—they found a black plastic bag. Inside were the decomposed remains of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
The Timeline That Doesn't Add Up
Most people think this happened overnight. It didn't. Celeste went missing from Lake Elsinore back in April 2024. She was only 13 then. For over a year, her family searched.
Then, the Tesla—registered to David Burke—is found abandoned.
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Police believe the body had been in that car for weeks, maybe even months, through the brutal Los Angeles summer heat. Think about that. While d4vd was performing on his "Withered" world tour in Minneapolis and Portland, his car was sitting in a lot with a human being inside of it.
Why d4vd is Now a Suspect
For a while, the narrative was that he was just "cooperating." That changed. By November 2025, law enforcement sources leaked to TMZ and People that the singer is now officially a suspect.
The investigation took a dark turn when police executed a search warrant at a rental home in the Hollywood Hills where David had been staying. They didn't just find typical "rockstar" mess. According to private investigator Steve Fischer, who was hired by the landlord, there was "unusual machinery" and farm tools left behind.
Here is what the investigation has uncovered so far:
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- Matching Tattoos: Celeste had a tattoo on her right index finger that said "Shhh." Rumors and photos suggest David has or had something very similar.
- The Relationship: Celeste’s mother reportedly told investigators her daughter had a boyfriend named "David."
- The "Help" Theory: LAPD sources have suggested they believe David "most likely had help" in the dismemberment and disposal of the body. That is a heavy, heavy accusation.
- The Total Silence: Since the body was found, d4vd has vanished from the public eye. He canceled the rest of his tour. He stopped posting. His collaborator, Kali Uchis, even pulled their song "Crashing" from streaming services, basically saying "he's not my friend."
What the Medical Examiner Isn't Saying
The biggest hurdle right now is the cause of death. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner initially listed it as "deferred." Because the body was so decomposed, forensic testing takes forever.
There is actually a legal battle happening behind the scenes. The LAPD got a court order to place a "security hold" on the case file. They don't want the cause of death public yet. Why? Usually, that means they have information only the killer would know, and they don't want to tip their hand before an arrest.
It’s easy to look at his lyrics and see "clues." People point to "Romantic Homicide" as a blueprint. But let's be real—horror themes are common in lo-fi pop. It's the physical evidence, the abandoned Tesla, and the "farm tools" in a luxury rental that actually matter here.
The Current Status of the Case
As of January 2026, David Anthony Burke has not been charged with a crime. He is a suspect, but the grand jury is still hearing evidence.
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The LAPD Chief, Jim McDonnell, has been tight-lipped, only saying that resources are "dedicated to bringing it to a conclusion." Meanwhile, the neighborhood in the Hollywood Hills is rattled. These are multimillion-dollar homes with high-end security, yet a body sat in a car on the street for 72 hours before anyone did anything.
What You Should Watch For Next
If you are following the singer David body found updates, the next few weeks are critical. The "security hold" on the medical examiner’s report can only last so long.
- Toxicology Reports: These will determine if there was a struggle or if drugs were involved, which changes the charge from "concealing a body" to "homicide."
- Grand Jury Decisions: If the grand jury finds enough evidence, an arrest warrant will be issued immediately.
- The Manager's Role: Investigators are also looking into David's inner circle, specifically his manager, to see if they helped move the car or clean the rental property.
The legal system moves slowly, especially in high-profile celebrity cases involving forensic decomposition. But the silence from the d4vd camp is deafening. Usually, an innocent person is shouting from the rooftops. Right now, it's just lawyers and closed doors.
Stay updated by checking the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's portal for case number 2025-14252, though be prepared for most details to remain redacted until the security hold is lifted by a judge. Keep an eye on local LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division briefings, as they are the primary agency handling the transition from a missing persons case to a suspected murder investigation.