The discovery of a teenager's remains in an abandoned vehicle has sparked an intense interstate legal battle that now entangles a prominent musician's family. Prosecutors in California are aggressively pursuing the father of recording artist David Burke, known as D4vd, in a bid to force him to testify before a secretive grand jury.
Unsealed court documents from Los Angeles County reveal a coordinated effort to compel Dawud Burke, a Hempstead, Texas, resident, to provide evidence. Authorities allege his son may be connected to the death of a young girl whose remains were found in the singer's car.
A Disturbing Discovery in an Abandoned Tesla
The investigation started on 8 September 2025 after someone reported an abandoned black Tesla Model X, a luxury car worth about £63,000 ($80,000). Local police cited the vehicle and had it towed to an impound lot.
Things took a dark turn when tow yard workers noticed a strong, foul smell coming from the car and immediately called detectives. Investigators obtained a search warrant and opened the car's front storage compartment to find the source of the odour.
Inside the trunk, law enforcement made a grim discovery that launched a homicide investigation. They located a cadaver bag containing human remains, alongside a second bag that allegedly held parts of a 'severely decomposed, dismembered body'.
Medical examiners officially identified the deceased victim as 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Official court records confirmed the impounded Tesla was registered to David Burke at a residential address in Hempstead, Texas.
Why Prosecutors Consider the Musician's Father a Crucial Witness
The legal petition names the performer as the primary target of the ongoing grand jury investigation. Court filings state the inquiry involves allegations that the musician 'may be involved in the death of a 14-year-old victim', prompting a closer look into his family.
When authorities impounded the vehicle, the petition notes Burke, formally described as 'a singer and performing artist', was travelling on tour. Investigators shifted focus to his family, arguing his father's testimony is 'material and necessary', given their close relationship.
To secure Dawud Burke's cooperation, the prosecution offered a comprehensive travel package. Their offer included a round-trip plane ticket, a ride to and from the airport, and a guarantee that he would not be arrested while visiting California.
Prosecutors asked the father to come for a short visit starting on 11 February. The agreement stated that he only needed to be available for questioning for up to three days.
In a Petition For Attendance to compel #D4vd family members to appear before a Grand Jury, it's disclosed that #CelesteRivasHernandez head and torso were found in a cadaver bag, her severed arms and legs in a 2nd bag. David Burke is the Target of the GJ for one count of Murder. pic.twitter.com/p1OXLwYsuI
— SF INVESTIGATES • STEVE FISCHER (@SF_investigates) February 25, 2026
Legal Pushback And A Texas Courtroom Showdown
Even with these offers, Dawud Burke's lawyers fought back against the subpoena. His legal team filed a petition arguing that the Texas court order forcing him to testify was completely unlawful.
Defence attorneys argued their client was denied due process during the initial cross-state proceedings. They stated he never received full, unredacted copies of the California certification documents needed to support the aggressive subpoena request.
The legal dispute eventually made its way to Judge Gary W. Chaney in Waller County's 506th District Court. Chaney initially granted the issuance of the writ, offering a temporary victory for the defence team, according to unsealed documents.
However, the judge reversed course and denied the habeas corpus request on its merits through an order dated 6 February 2026. Following the ruling, Burke's legal counsel filed for an immediate appeal.
This interstate dispute remains pending while the appellate court reviews the jurisdictional arguments. Meanwhile, grand jury proceedings continue in strict secrecy, leaving it unclear when a final legal decision might materialise.
