Summary
- LOS ANGELES: D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, pleaded not guilty on Monday to first-degree murder and multiple additional charges in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
- “We believe the actual evidence will show David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez, nor was he the cause of her death,” Berk told the court.
- In addition to murder, Burke faces charges of continuous sexual acts with a minor, lewd acts with a child under 14, and mutilation of a body.
LOS ANGELES: D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, pleaded not guilty on Monday to first-degree murder and multiple additional charges in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
The plea was entered in a Los Angeles court months after the teenager’s dismembered body was discovered inside the trunk of a Tesla registered to the 21-year-old musician in Hollywood.
Prosecutors have charged Burke with murder under special circumstances, including lying in wait, committing the crime for financial gain, and killing a potential witness. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment without parole. Nathan Hochman said authorities would later decide whether to pursue the death penalty.
Defense attorney Blair Berk entered the not-guilty plea on Burke’s behalf and requested a prompt preliminary hearing to review the prosecution’s evidence. “We believe the actual evidence will show David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez, nor was he the cause of her death,” Berk told the court. Judge Theresa McGonigle denied bail, ordering that the accused remain in custody.
According to Jim McDonnell, the victim’s decomposed remains were found in September 2025 in the front trunk of the vehicle after it had been parked for weeks in a Hollywood Hills neighborhood and later towed due to a foul odor.
Investigators revealed that the teenager had been missing for nearly 18 months before her remains were discovered. Authorities allege that Burke had been involved in a sexual relationship with the minor and killed her after she threatened to expose the relationship, which could have damaged his career.
In addition to murder, Burke faces charges of continuous sexual acts with a minor, lewd acts with a child under 14, and mutilation of a body.
The district attorney described the case as “brutal and horrific” but said further details, including the cause of death, would be disclosed after the coroner’s report is released.
D4vd rose to fame in 2022 after his music gained viral popularity on TikTok, particularly the hit Romantic Homicide, which led to a record deal with Interscope Records. He also performed at the Coachella in 2025.
The case remains under investigation, with further hearings expected in the coming weeks.
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