D4vd lay in wait for Celeste Rivas before killing her, had sex with her, DA says as singer charged

D4vd could face the death penalty after gruesome details emerged when the singer was charged with murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas — more than seven months after the teen’s dismembered body was found in a Tesla linked to him.

D4vd, real name David Burke, was charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances — lying in wait, murder of a witness to an investigation and murder for financial gain — in an announcement made by Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman on Monday.

He’s also charged with lewd and lascivious sexual acts with an individual under 14 years old, and mutilating the human remains of a body.

The special circumstance of murder of a witness to an investigation is because Rivas was a witness in the lewd-and-lascivious investigation. Officials say the murder for financial gain circumstance was added because they believe D4vd thought allegations of sexual relations with a minor could derail his music career.

He faces a maximum sentence of life without the possibility of parole or even the death penalty — which will be determined later.

Evidence against D4vd includes witness testimony and documents, according to Hochman. He also asked other witnesses to come forward during a press conference Monday. Hochman said there is digital, physical and forensic evidence that investigators have also gathered.

The charges come just a few days after the singer was taken into custody at his Hollywood Hills home by the LAPD’s robbery-homicide division Thursday. He was being held without bail.

“We came to the home with a probable cause arrest warrant for him,” LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division commanding officer Capt. Scot M. Williams confirmed to The California Post on the scene.

Exclusive footage obtained by The California Post showed the performer in cuffs and surrounded by LAPD officers as he was escorted away from his Hollywood hideout.

Rivas’ dismembered body was discovered in the back of a Tesla belonging to D4vd back in September after employees in a tow yard smelled a foul odor coming from the vehicle. Rivas had been reported missing by her family in April. 

Shortly after the body was discovered, D4vd canceled his remaining tour dates and went silent as online speculation continued to grow around his possible relationship with Rivas — including photos that surfaced of the two together before her disappearance.

As the case continued to develop, more horrifying details emerged about the condition in which Rivas’ dismembered body was found — including the fact her body parts were dumped in two different cadaver bags within the Tesla. 

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Cops found Rivas’ head and torso in one bag and several body parts in a second bag with insects swarming over the remains, according to documents unsealed in a Texas court.

D4vd’s legal team released a statement shortly after the singer’s arrest.

“Let us be clear — the actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death. There has been no indictment returned by any grand jury in this case and no criminal complaint filed,” attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter said in a joint statement.

“David has only been detained under suspicion. We will vigorously defend David’s innocence,” the attorneys continued.