Court documents reveal new details in Celeste Rivas murder case – NBC Los Angeles

Warning: The content below contains a graphic description of a child’s death.

Court documents filed in Texas reveal LAPD detectives and LA County prosecutors sought to force the father, mother, and brother of pop singer D4vd to testify before a grand jury investigating the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were found inside a Tesla sedan that was impounded and brought to a tow yard.

D4vd, who’s real name is David Burke, is suspected of murdering Rivas Hernandez, according to newly unsealed records that had been sent to the Texas court, in order to compel the testimony of Burke’s parents and brother.

Burke had not previously been publicly named as a suspect, though law enforcement sources told NBC4 Investigates months ago he was the focus of the investigation.

The court filings, which would ordinarily be sealed while a secret grand jury investigation was in progress, were made public in recent weeks because Burke’s family members tried to block their enforcement by going to a judge in Texas, who denied those challenges.

According to the filing in LA Superior Court to compel the appearance of an out of state witness, prosecutors wrote that Rivas Hernandez’s remains were discovered on Sept. 8 after a tow yard manager reported the smell of decay coming from the Tesla, which was registered to Burke.

“Detectives obtained a search warrant for the vehicle and when the front storage compartment was opened, detectives observed a black cadaver bag covered with insects and a strong odor of decay,” the filing said.

Detectives opened the bag and saw a human head and torso, then discovered a second black bag with dismembered body parts.

The Texas judge rejected the efforts to block the enforcement of the demands for testimony Feb. 2, according to a transcript of a hearing.

The Burke witnesses were ordered to appear for testimony the week of Feb. 9, but because grand jury proceedings are secret until an indictment is produced, it’s not known if they ever appeared.

Citing the ongoing investigation the LA County Department of Medical Examiner removed public information about the case last November, which indicated at the time that the cause of Rivas Hernandez’s death was still undetermined.

Law enforcement sources told NBC4 Investigates last year that they believe Rivas Hernandez died in the spring of 2025, and that more than one person may have been involved in her death and the attempted disposal of her body.

Rivas Hernandez was last seen alive in April, 2024, authorities said.

LAPD detectives searched a home in the Hollywood Hills where Burke was said to be living and were seen removing bags and various items of potential evidence. The home was not far from the street where the Tesla was ticketed and impounded in early September.

Burke was not cooperating with law enforcement, the sources said.

Calls to an attorney believed to be representing Burke have not been returned.