Inside the final hours of Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s brief life
Prosecutors have detailed the final hours of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who was allegedly murdered by musician David Anthony Burke, known as d4vd. The evidence suggests a history of manipulation and a sexual relationship that began when the victim was 13, culminating in a violent dispute over the artist's career.
Why it matters
This case highlights the severe consequences of predatory relationships involving minors and the intersection of celebrity culture with criminal violence.
The lengthy argument between the young musician who created the anthem for Fortnite and the teenage runaway on April 22, 2025, would mark the end of a turbulent relationship. The fight was chronicled in text messages that suggested Celeste Rivas Hernandez was jealous of singer-songwriter d4vd’s relationship with other women, according to a nine-page brief laying out the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s evidence to support charging him with the 14-year-old’s murder. The artist, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, had “led her to believe they had a future together.” Extremely upset, Celeste “threatened to disclose damaging information about her relationship” with then-20-year-old d4vd “to end his career and destroy his life,” the brief said.
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