A friend of rapper D4vd has spoken out amidst the investigation into his potential connection with the death of a teenage girl found in his car.
In September, the body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez was discovered in a Tesla’s trunk, which was left in a Hollywood tow yard. The vehicle was traced back to 20-year-old D4vd, who was touring at the time of the discovery. Authorities suspect that the girl, who was found on what would have been her 15th birthday, may have died weeks before her body was located.
A friend from D4vd’s past, who has known him since childhood, shared insights into the rapper’s character.
Speaking with The Mirror US, the friend described D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, as “completely normal” and somewhat shy, enjoying video games during their teenage years.
“I used to play video games with D4vd; he was actually a really insane player,” the friend said. “He used to play Call of Duty, 2K, and a few others.”
Preferring to remain anonymous, the friend continued, “We’d stay online for hours at a time in large video game lobbies, shooting the s**t. He was definitely calm and quiet, but he was smart and completely normal.”
The friend added that although D4vd kept to himself, he was often seen with an unusual crowd.
This information surfaces as authorities intensify their investigation into Hernandez’s death as a possible homicide.
Los Angeles law enforcement officers responded to complaints about a foul smell from the impounded electric vehicle, which was found abandoned in the Hollywood Hills days before being taken to the lot.
Investigators identified the car as belonging to the musician, but initially, Burke was not named as a person of interest or charged with any crimes. He has since been designated as a person of interest in the investigation.
Hernandez, who was 13 years old at the time, was reported missing by her mother in April 2024 after allegedly running away from their Lake Elsinore, California home. Her family shared with NBC Los Angeles that she personally knew D4vd and was supposed to see a movie with him before her disappearance.
According to NBC4 Investigates, law enforcement officials believe Hernandez died in the spring and was found dismembered in the vehicle. An autopsy has yet to establish the cause of death.
On November 24, the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner received a court order from the LAPD to secure details of Hernandez’s case, placing a security alert on it.
“No records or details associated with the case, including the cause and manner of death and Medical Examiner report, can be released or posted on the website until further notice,” the medical examiner stated.