Tag: Murder case

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—David Anthony Burke, known by his stage name D4VD, is eligible to receive both life in prison and the death penalty for his alleged involvement in the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Burke is facing first-degree murder with special circumstances, lewd and lascivious acts with an individual under 14, and mutilating a body.

The special circumstances include lying in wait for the victim, committing the crime for financial gain, and murdering a witness in an investigation.

These circumstances increase the severity of the case, which has prompted Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman to consider pursuing the death penalty.

“We will evaluate the death penalty as we would in any eligible case. We will look at the aggravating and mitigating factors. We’re going to reach out to D4VD’s lawyer to make sure they have input into the process,” Hochman told KTLA 5 in an interview.

Investigators believe the scene of the crime was D4VD’s home in Hollywood Hills. They argue that Burke stabbed Hernandez after she threatened to expose his criminal conduct and jeopardize his music career.

Celeste Hernandez’s body was found mutilated in the front trunk of a Tesla in September 2025. Charges were filed against the singer on April 20, 2026. The preliminary hearing is set to begin Tuesday, July 21, which will determine whether there’s enough evidence to hold Burke to answer on the charges.

By Milan Manesh

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—The Los Angeles Police Department is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of a suspect – or suspects – involved in the murder of Mercy Melissa Martinez, the LAPD released in a statement on April 12, 2023. 

On June 13, 2022, 28-year-old Martinez’s skeletal remains were found by the workers of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power inside a sewer drain in the Hollywood Hills. The exact location was not disclosed. Detectives found evidence at the scene which prompted them to believe Martinez’s body was placed there by someone else, the LAPD reported. 

Martinez was last seen by her family in April 2021, and was last known to be alive during a police incident on June 15, 2021. She was experiencing homelessness and was dealing with substance abuse issues at the time of her disappearance.

“Mercy was someone very special in our lives and to say we’re heartbroken is an understatement,” Martinez’s family said in a GoFundMe post. “Mercy was a person who always put others happiness before her’s and was always willing to help anyone.”

Martinez is survived by her 14-year-old son, Sandorson, her 7-year-old son, Danny, and her mother. 

LAPD detectives are requesting the public’s help in aiding in the arrest of the suspect(s) involved in her death, as well as any information about Martinez’s whereabouts between the time of her last known contact and the day her remains were discovered. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detectives John Lamberti (serial number 40252) or Tamara Momayez (serial number 40279) at (213) 382-9470. Anonymous tips may also be reported via text by logging onto www.lapdonline.org and clicking on “Anonymous Web Tips.”

By Lacy