LOS ANGELES – KPRC 2 exclusively obtained new court documents from Los Angeles County providing new insight into the grand jury investigation of singer D4vd and prosecutors’ request to compel testimony from his father, Dawud Burke, as a witness.
According to the documents, California prosecutors are seeking to require Dawud Burke, who resides in Hempstead, Texas, to travel to California to testify before a grand jury.
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The petition identifies David Burke or D4vd as the target of the grand jury investigation.
The records state that a grand jury investigation is currently pending in Los Angeles County involving allegations that David Burke “may be involved in the death of a 14-year-old victim,” identified as Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
The documents allege the victim’s “severely decomposed, dismembered body” was discovered on Sept. 8, 2025, inside the front trunk of a black Tesla Model X.
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According to the filings:
- The vehicle had been reported as abandoned
- It was later cited and impounded
- Tow yard personnel reported a strong odor of decay
- Detectives obtained a search warrant
When investigators opened the front storage compartment, the petition states they located a black cadaver bag containing human remains. A second bag allegedly contained additional dismembered body parts.
Court records indicate the Tesla was registered to David Burke at a Hempstead, Texas address.
The petition also describes Burke as “a singer and performing artist” who was allegedly on tour at the time the vehicle was impounded.
Prosecutors argue Dawud Burke’s testimony is “material and necessary” to the investigation.
The documents state Dawud Burke is David Burke’s father and has a close relationship with him.
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The petition notes the prosecution has agreed to:
- Provide a round-trip airplane ticket
- Provide transportation to and from the airport
- Grant protection from arrest or service of process while traveling to testify
Attendance was requested beginning Feb. 11 for no more than three days.
However, Dawud Burke filed a writ of habeas corpus with the Texas Court of Appeals to avoid being called as a grand jury witness.
The case is currently pending.
Grand jury proceedings are conducted in secret, and it is unclear when a decision may be made.