Viral Video of D4vd with Alleged New Girlfriend Ignites Fury in Celeste Rivas Murder Case
LOS ANGELES — A newly surfaced video showing R&B singer D4vd (David Anthony Burke) intimately interacting with an unidentified young woman—dubbed his “new girlfriend” by online sleuths—has sent shockwaves through social media, amplifying accusations of predatory behavior just weeks after the discovery of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s dismembered remains in his Tesla. The clip, which depicts D4vd playfully urging the woman, “Don’t be shy,” has amassed millions of views on TikTok and X, fueling theories that he moved on callously from Celeste while evading scrutiny. Though Burke, 20, faces no charges and denies involvement in Celeste’s death, the footage has intensified public outrage, leading to further career sabotage and demands for accountability. For Celeste’s family, it’s a painful reminder of a case that began as a missing persons report and has spiraled into a digital-age scandal.
The Viral Video: A “Bombshell” That Refuels the Fire
The video exploded online on September 17, 2025—the same day Celeste’s identity was confirmed—showing D4vd in what appears to be a casual, affectionate moment with a woman in her early 20s. In the clip, shared widely on TikTok and Reddit, Burke teases her repeatedly: “Don’t be shy. Don’t be shy.” The pair laughs and interacts closely, with the setting suggesting a private or semi-public gathering. While the woman’s identity remains unconfirmed, fans and critics have labeled her his “new girlfriend,” contrasting her with Celeste, his alleged ex.
The timing couldn’t be worse. Just nine days earlier, on September 8, tow yard workers in Hollywood discovered Celeste’s decomposed body in the front trunk of Burke’s impounded Tesla Model 3, abandoned in the Hollywood Hills. The 15-year-old from Lake Elsinore, California, had been missing since April 5, 2024, at age 13. Her remains, wrapped in plastic and partially dismembered, were identified via dental records and a distinctive “SH” tattoo on her index finger—matching one on Burke’s hand.
Internet users stitched the new video with news clips of the discovery, creating montages that accuse Burke of “replacing” Celeste mere months after her vanishing. “He’s out here filming with a new girl while her body’s rotting in his car?” one viral TikTok caption read, garnering over 5 million views. The backlash has been swift: #D4vdGroomer trended globally, with creators demanding investigations into his relationships.
Burke’s representatives have not commented on the video, reiterating his cooperation with authorities. LAPD sources emphasize the footage doesn’t alter the probe, but online, it’s seen as evidence of insensitivity—or worse.
From Viral Star to Pariah: The Rapid Fall
D4vd’s career, built on TikTok virality, has crumbled under the scrutiny. His 2022 breakout “Romantic Homicide”—a low-fi track about toxic love that amassed billions of streams—once symbolized Gen Z vulnerability. Lyrics like “I hate all the silence” were praised as authentic; now, they’re dissected for “hidden confessions” about Celeste.
The September 17 confirmation of Celeste’s identity—via the tattoo and vehicle registration—ignited the storm. Within hours, his name topped X trends, shifting from music acclaim to “groomer” accusations. Fans, who once defended his “relatable” image, now feel betrayed by the parasocial bond they nurtured through streams and edits.
Brands acted fast: Crocs and Hollister pulled campaigns, citing “family values.” His Withered World Tour canceled Seattle and LA dates; Interscope Records froze promotions for Afterlife deluxe edition. Streams of “Romantic Homicide” dropped 15% overnight, per Popspoken, with playlist curators removing tracks amid boycott calls.
The industry’s response underscores digital fragility: What propelled Burke to 33 million monthly Spotify listeners now destroys him. Collaborators like Kali Uchis scrubbed joint work “Crashing,” calling the allegations “horrifying.”
Grooming Allegations: Screenshots, Tattoos, and a Mother’s Warning
The internet’s verdict hinges on unverified but compelling “evidence.” Leaked Discord screenshots from 2022—when Celeste was 12 and Burke 17—show flirtatious chats evolving into intimacy by 2023. Hindustan Times reported lines hinting at late-night talks and inside jokes, fueling grooming claims: the slow manipulation of a minor for exploitation.
Celeste’s mother told investigators her daughter dated a “David” pre-disappearance—a detail that “clicked” post-identification. Fox LA confirmed the “SH” tattoo as a key identifier; side-by-side images with Burke’s matching ink went viral, symbolizing “ownership” to critics. Times Now News shared alleged photos of them in Hello Kitty outfits—Celeste’s favorite—interpreting it as romantic proof.
The age gap seals the narrative: In California, consent is 18; any intimacy would be statutory rape (Penal Code 261.5). Even early interactions show imbalance—Burke building fame while Celeste was a middle-schooler.
Lyrics face reinterpretation: “Romantic Homicide” edits splice with crime scenes, turning heartbreak into “confession.” TikTok creators overlay news with concert clips: “Singing to thousands while hiding a secret.”
Internet Outrage: From Speculation to Sentencing
Social media amplified the fury. TikTok stitches contrast Burke’s “wholesome” image with the Tesla horror; Reddit’s r/popculture threads dissect timelines, debating if the car was “planted” (a theory LAPD hasn’t ruled out) or evidence of cover-up.
Outrage spread in hours: From vague body discovery on September 8 to global trending by September 17. NBC and Rolling Stone stuck to facts; online, it’s a “predator” saga. Fans feel complicit: “We streamed him, loved him—while he hid this?”
Theories escalate: Multiple victims? Industry cover-up? Discord hints at paid silence from young fans. No proof, but momentum overrides nuance. One Reddit user: “We built him; now we tear him down.”
A Mother’s Heartbreak and Systemic Failures
Celeste, a “bright-eyed” artist who sketched and dreamed big, deserved better. Her Lake Elsinore family—searching via flyers and social campaigns—faced media oversight, possibly due to demographics. A GoFundMe aids burial; her mother seeks justice.
The case exposes digital perils: Parasocial bonds enabling grooming, ignored red flags (runaways masking danger). Fans’ “romance” theories turned tragic; now, they demand change.
No charges yet—autopsy pending—but public opinion convicts. For Burke, once an “authentic” star, the shadow of Celeste looms. As one fan posted: “His love life rumors became a crime story. We won’t forget.” The probe continues; updates expected soon.
