David Anthony Burke (born March 28, 2005), known professionally as D4vd,[a] 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.
Born in New York City, 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, the heavily decomposed remains of a 14-year-old girl were discovered inside an impounded Tesla registered in Burke's name.[2] The body was later identified as Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who had previously been reported missing and whom Burke was previously acquainted with. The remaining tour dates and the release of a deluxe version of Withered were canceled after the identification.[3][4] A property occupied by Burke was searched by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), and the investigation is ongoing. A cause of death has not been determined, but the LAPD are investigating it as a potential homicide. Police have not officially named any suspects.
Early life
David Anthony Burke was born on March 28, 2005, in Queens, New York City,[5] his family later moved to Houston, Texas.[6] After seventh grade, he was homeschooled.[7][8] Until he was 13, he exclusively listened to gospel music. He played piano and sung in a church choir in his childhood.[7][9]
Burke later discovered the indie music genre through a Fortnite montage.[10] In 2021, Burke uploaded his own Fortnite montages, resulting in the beginning of his career in music.[11] Burke described feeling somewhat isolated as a teenager, living "vicariously" by the experiences of his internet friends.[12][13] Due to being homeschooled, he frequently made references to circumstances in his music that he had not yet encountered.[7]
Career
2021–2022: Early career and rise to prominence
Burke's music career started when he uploaded gaming montages of the video game Fortnite.[5][7] To avoid receiving copyright strikes, he created his own music.[14][15] Burke's music is known for mixing lo-fi pop, R&B, and indie rock.[16] He released his music to SoundCloud, including songs such as "You and I",[17] "Take Me to the Sun",[17] and "Runaway".[18] He chose the stage name "d4vd" in part because of a desire to increase his search engine optimization.[19] He released the single "Romantic Homicide" on July 20, 2022, following TikTok snippets of it becoming viral.[7][20]
"Romantic Homicide" charted at No. 3 on the Hot Alternative Songs charts and appeared at No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart,[15] marking his first entry on the chart.[14][21] The music video, which was inspired by film noir,[22] was nominated for Music Video (Independent) during the 14th Hollywood Music in Media Awards.[23] After he witnessed others reuse his music, he later stated in an interview "...I was like, 'Okay, this could be something', so I kept making songs."[9]
The song's success led to Burke being contacted by Darkroom and Interscope Records,[24] and signing with the label in September 2022.[20][25] First released on SoundCloud before "Romantic Homicide", Burke's next single, "Here with Me", was released to streaming platforms in September 2022.[17] The song entered multiple charts following its use on TikTok,[7] 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.[26]
The Withered tour commenced in August, however September 8, 2025, a body was discovered in a Tesla registered to him. As a result of the discovery, Crocs and Hollister Co. removed promotional content featuring Burke the next day.[43] The concerts slated for September 19 and 20 were canceled amid the identification of human remains found in a Tesla registered to Burke.[3][44] 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.[3][45] In the following days, the tour's European and Australian shows, and Burke's planned performance at Spilt Milk in December, were canceled.[46][47] Kali Uchis stated that she was trying to get their song "Crashing" removed from streaming services following the incident.[37] During the investigation, Burke's music streams on Spotify doubled from the previous week.[48] Over the course of 2025, Burke became the top searched for musician on Google and among the top 5 trending people in total.[49]
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",[11][15] including series such as Dragon Ball Z,[15]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.[50]
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."[51]
Legal issues
On September 8, 2025, Burke performed at the Fillmore Minneapolis as part of his Withered Tour.[52][53] The same day, heavily decomposed human remains were discovered in Los Angeles inside the front trunk of an impounded Tesla registered to Burke.[54][55][56] The discovery came after the LAPD was called by a tow yard worker to investigate a foul odor emanating from the Tesla.[52][57] The remains were found in a black bag in the front trunk.[19][58] An LAPD captain later told KABC-TV that the body was at least partially dismembered but not decapitated.[42] The car was initially 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.[59][60][61] The LAPD confirmed that the vehicle was ticketed 11 days before the body was found, and strongly suggested the deceased was in the trunk for the entire period the car was abandoned.[59][62][63]
On September 16, 2025, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner identified the body as that of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, from Lake Elsinore in Riverside County.[64][65] The body had to be identified through forensic examination due to the advanced decomposition.[19] Her body was found a day after her 15th birthday, and she is believed to have died a considerable amount of time before her body was discovered.[66] Rivas had been reported as missing three times in the last year of her life according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Office.[67] She last ran away in April 2024, and last contacted her family in May 2024.[42] Burke had seemingly known Rivas before her death, as after the identification of the body, numerous photographs allegedly showing them together were found. In addition, Rivas' mother had said her daughter had a boyfriend called "David", and Rivas and Burke had matching tattoos.[68] Riva's brother told NBCLA that she initially went missing after being picked up by Burke in his Tesla.[69] Additionally, sources reportedly state that she resided in a rental property with Burke at the time and had initially met him through the internet.[70]
On September 18, 2025, investigators from the LAPD executed a search warrant at a Hollywood Hills property previously occupied by Burke.[71] During the search, electronic materials including a computer was seized.[72] Shortly after the search, Burke's manager terminated the lease on the property, and Burke moved out.[73] Burke has retained criminal defense attorney Blair Berk, known for representing other major celebrities, as the investigation continued.[74]
A vigil for Rivas was held in Lake Elsinore,[52][64] and her body was released to her family for memorial services.[75] On October 6, 2025, Rivas was buried at Queen of Heaven Cemetery and Mortuary in Rowland Heights, California, following a private funeral service.[66]
Identification of cause of death has proven to be difficult, given the advanced state of decomposition that the body was in.[76]Sources close to the investigation told news outlets that they believe that Rivas may have died in the spring of 2025.[77][78] Initially, LAPD Robbery-Homicide Capt. Scot Williams stated there was no suspect in Rivas' death, citing the undetermined cause of death and uncertainty about criminal culpability beyond the concealment of her body.[79] However, the case is being treated as a potential homicide.[77][78] Investigators also believe there may have been more than one person involved, and that another individual potentially helped in disposing of Rivas' body.[78][80] Additionally, LAPD investigators are focusing on a trip they say Burke made to Santa Barbara County in spring 2025 and its potential relationship with this case.[81][82]
As of December 2025, no charges have been filed against anyone, and the investigation remains ongoing.[77] Autopsy results to determine the cause of Rivas' death, which was deemed "deferred", are still pending.[83][84] The LAPD later filed a court order to block the medical examiner from releasing their findings related to the death of Rivas, which the medical examiner has legally challenged.[70] On November 26, the Los Angeles Times confirmed that an investigative grand jury had been convened over the course of the month to hear evidence in regard to possibly recommending charges relating to the case of Rivas' death.[85] Grand jury proceedings remain ongoing, with the panel continuing to review evidence, including sealed autopsy details and potential connections to Burke.[86] Authorities reportedly have a suspect or suspects they believed were involved in the case, but have not made any announcements officially.[77][19]
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