D4vd Investigation: New Court Documents Reveal Details in Dismemberment Case

LOS ANGELES – KPRC 2 has exclusively obtained new court documents from Los Angeles County providing crucial insight into the grand jury investigation of singer D4vd and prosecutors’ efforts to compel testimony from his father, Dawud Burke, as a key witness.

According to the documents, California prosecutors are seeking to require Dawud Burke, a resident of Hempstead, Texas, to travel to California to testify before the grand jury. This development marks a significant step in the investigation surrounding the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

The Case Against D4vd

Los Angeles authorities now believe D4vd ‘likely had help’ in the dismemberment of the body of missing teenage girl, Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The petition identifies David Burke, known professionally as D4vd, as the central figure in the grand jury investigation.

The records detail that a grand jury investigation is currently underway in Los Angeles County, focusing on allegations that David Burke “may be involved in the death of a 14-year-old victim,” identified as Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The tragic discovery occurred on September 8, 2025, when the victim’s “severely decomposed, dismembered body” was found inside the front trunk of a black Tesla Model X.

The Discovery and Evidence

Investigators discovered the remains within a black cadaver bag located in the front storage compartment of the Tesla. A second bag reportedly contained additional dismembered body parts. Court records confirm the Tesla was registered to David Burke at an address in Hempstead, Texas.

The petition further describes Burke as “a singer and performing artist” who was allegedly on tour at the time the vehicle was impounded. This detail adds another layer to the complex investigation.

The Father’s Testimony

Prosecutors argue that Dawud Burke’s testimony is “material and necessary” to the investigation, citing his close relationship with his son, David Burke. They initially requested his attendance beginning February 11 for a period of no more than three days.

Legal Challenges and Appeals

However, Burke’s attorneys filed an application for a writ of habeas corpus, arguing that the Texas court order compelling him to testify before a California grand jury was unlawful. The legal team claimed Burke was denied due process due to a lack of full, unredacted copies of the California certification documents supporting the subpoena request.

The application was initially heard in the 506th District Court of Waller County, where Judge Gary W. Chaney initially granted the writ but ultimately denied Burke’s habeas corpus request on its merits. Following this ruling, Burke’s attorneys filed an appeal, and the case remains pending.

Ongoing Investigation

Grand jury proceedings are conducted in secret, and the timeline for a decision remains unclear. This case continues to unfold, and KPRC 2 will provide updates as they become available.

Source: Click2Houston