Former "Fortnite" Player D4vd Arrested on Suspicion of Murdering 14-Year-Old Girl
Former "Fortnite" player and well-known singer D4vd (born David Burke) has been arrested by police on suspicion of murdering, dismembering, and concealing the body of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas. According to multiple media reports, Celeste Rivas went missing last spring, and her decomposed body was found in D4vd's Tesla.
According to NBC4 Los Angeles, Burke was arrested on April 16th at a residence on Marmont Avenue in the Hollywood Hills. The Hollywood Reporter confirmed NBC4’s reporting and shared a statement from the Los Angeles Police Department explaining the reason for Burke’s arrest.
The Los Angeles Police Department stated: “Homicide detectives have arrested 21-year-old Los Angeles resident David Burke on suspicion of the murder of Celeste Rivas. Burke is currently being held and is ineligible for bail. The case will be presented to the District Attorney’s Office on Monday for filing consideration.”
This arrest comes seven months after police discovered Rivas’s body in the trunk of his Tesla. NBC4 pointed out that despite Burke being a person of interest for some time, the Los Angeles Police Department delayed the arrest to avoid compromising the integrity of the evidence chain or interfering with the overall investigation process.
Following the arrest, Burke’s attorney told The Hollywood Reporter on April 16th that no charges have been filed and no criminal complaint has been formally submitted, stating that the evidence will prove his innocence. The attorney also told NBC4 that they are prepared to “vigorously defend David’s innocence.”
The attorney’s statement read: “We must make it clear – the actual evidence in this case will demonstrate that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez, nor did he cause her death. No grand jury has made a determination of charges, and no formal criminal complaint has been filed. David is currently being held only on suspicion. We will fully defend his innocence.”
Burke began uploading "Fortnite" gameplay compilations with his original songs on YouTube in 2021 and soon after officially launched his music career under the name D4vd. He quickly rose as a rising star in the R&B scene, serving as an opening act for SZA in 2023, performing on the TGA (The Game Awards) stage in 2024, and scheduled to perform at the 2025 Coachella Music Festival.
He had originally planned to embark on a world tour last year, but the tour was canceled following the death of Rivas Hernandez.