David Anthony Burke (born March 28, 2005), known professionally as D4vd[a] (stylized in all lowercase), is an American singer and songwriter. In 2022, he released the singles "Here with Me" and "Romantic Homicide", which gained widespread popularity on TikTok and resulted in him signing with Darkroom and Interscope Records.
Burke began making music at his mother's recommendation as a way to avoid YouTube copyright strikes on his Fortnite gameplay montages. Following several releases in 2023, Burke released two extended plays (EPs), Petals to Thorns and The Lost Petals, the former charting in five regions. In 2024, Burke released five singles, including his third single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, "Feel It". His debut studio album, Withered, was released in 2025.
In late 2025, Burke became the subject of controversy when 14-year-old[b] Celeste Rivas Hernandez's decomposed remains were discovered inside an impoundedTesla registered in his name. A property occupied by Burke was searched by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), and the deluxe of his album along with his Withered World tour were canceled.
Burke later discovered the indie music genre through a Fortnite montage.[7]In 2021, Burke would upload his own Fortnite montages, resulting in the beginning of his career in music.[8] Burke described feeling somewhat isolated as a teenager, living "vicariously" by the experiences of his internet friends.[9][10] Due to being homeschooled, he frequently made references to circumstances in his music that he had not yet encountered.[4]
Career
2021–2022: Early career and rise to prominence
Burke's music career started when he uploaded gaming montages of the video game Fortnite.[2][4] To avoid receiving copyright strikes, he decided to create his own music.[11][12] Before his rise to prominence, Burke released his music to SoundCloud, including songs such as "You and I",[13] "Take Me to the Sun",[13] and "Runaway".[14] He released the single "Romantic Homicide" on July 20, 2022, following TikTok snippets of it becoming viral.[4][15]
"Romantic Homicide" charted at No. 3 on the Hot Alternative Songs charts and appeared at No. 33 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart,[12] marking his first entry on the chart.[11][16] The music video, which was inspired by film noir,[17] was nominated for Music Video (Independent) during the 14th Hollywood Music in Media Awards.[18] After he witnessed others re-use his music, he later stated in an interview "...I was like, 'Okay, this could be something', so I kept making songs."[6]
The song's success led to Burke being contacted by Darkroom and Interscope Records,[19] resulting in him signing with the label in September 2022.[15][20] First released on SoundCloud prior to "Romantic Homicide", Burke's next single, "Here with Me", was officially released to streaming platforms in September 2022.[13] The song entered multiple charts following its use on TikTok,[4] most notably at No. 60 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and reaching the top ten in Singapore. The majority of these songs were produced using a freemium DAW called BandLab.[21]
The Withered tour commenced in August. The concerts slated for September 19 and 20 were canceled amid the identification of human remains found in a Tesla registered to Burke.[33][34] The deluxe edition of Withered, subtitled Marcescence, expected for a September 19 release, was shelved along with planned appearances, and Interscope suspended all promotion of Burke.[33][35] In the following days, the tour's European and Australian shows, and Burke's planned performance at Spilt Milk in December, were canceled.[36][37] Kali Uchis stated that she was trying to get their song "Crashing" removed from streaming services following the incident.[29] During the investigation, Burke's music streams on Spotify doubled from the previous week.[38]
Influences
In an interview with the Japanese YouTuber Takashii, while Burke was in Japan for yearly festival Fuji Rock, he stated that anime is "one of my biggest influences",[8][12] including series such as Dragon Ball Z,[12]Naruto, and My Hero Academia.
Over time, touring with artists like SZA and building real-world connections allowed him to infuse more personal, "evolved" maturity into his work, as he reflected in a 2025 interview with People.[39]
Personal life
Burke identifies as a Christian. He once said in an interview with Astrophe Magazine: "I get my personal power from God for sure. I am a heavy believer in the Christian faith."[40]
Impounded car investigation
On September 8, 2025, Burke performed at the Fillmore Minneapolis as part of his Withered Tour.[41][42] The same day, heavily decomposedhuman remains were discovered in Los Angeles inside the front trunk of an impoundedTesla registered to Burke.[43][44][45] The discovery came after the LAPD was called by a tow yard worker to investigate a foul odor emanating from the Tesla.[41][46] The car had been parked on Bluebird Avenue in Hollywood Hills, as early as August 2025. On September 3, the vehicle was cited for violating the 72-hour parking ordinance and impounded and towed to a Hollywood yard two days later.[47][48][49] As a result of the discovery, Crocs and Hollister Co. removed promotional content featuring Burke the next day.[50]
On September 16, 2025, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner identified the body as that of 14-year-old[b] Celeste Rivas Hernandez, from Lake Elsinore in Riverside County.[51] The LAPD confirmed that the vehicle was ticketed 11 days before the body was found, and strongly suggested she was deceased in the trunk for the entire period the car was abandoned.[47][52][53] According to the medical examiner, Rivas was declared dead on September 8, 2025, one day after what would have been her 15th birthday.[54] The remaining tour dates and the release of a deluxe version of Withered were canceled after the identification.[33][55]
On September 18, 2025, investigators from the LAPD executed a search warrant at a Hollywood Hills property previously occupied by Burke.[56] During the search, evidence including a computer was seized.[57] Shortly after the search, Burke's manager, Josh Marshall, terminated the lease on the property, and Burke moved out.[58] Burke has retained high-profile criminal defense attorney Blair Berk, as the investigation continues.[59]
A vigil for Rivas was held in Lake Elsinore,[41][51] and her body was released to her family for memorial services.[60] On October 6, 2025, Rivas was laid to rest at Queen of Heaven Cemetery and Mortuary in Rowland Heights, California, following a private funeral service.[61] Autopsy results to determine the cause of Rivas' death, which was deemed "deferred," are still pending.[62][63][64]LAPD Robbery-Homicide Capt. Scot Williams said there is no suspect in Rivas' death because the cause of death is not determined. Police have said they do not know if there is "any criminal culpability beyond the concealment of her body."[65]
1 2 Rivas' age at death was reported initially as 15, as her date of death was not known. The medical examiner states she was likely deceased weeks before she was found, indicating she would have been 14.
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