Rising Musician D4vd Pleads Not Guilty to Murder Charges in Death of 14-Year-Old

BY MIRABEL ODETA

David Burke, a 21-year-old musician known professionally as D4vd, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and multiple additional charges in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The plea was entered on Monday in a Los Angeles courtroom, months after the teenager’s dismembered remains were discovered inside the trunk of a Tesla linked to the artist in Hollywood.

Prosecutors have filed severe charges against Burke, including murder with special circumstances such as lying in wait, committing the crime for financial gain, and killing a potential witness. If convicted, he faces the possibility of life imprisonment without parole. Nathan Hochman, the Los Angeles County District Attorney, stated that a decision on whether to pursue the death penalty would be made at a later stage.

During the arraignment at Los Angeles Superior Court, defense attorney Blair Berk entered the not-guilty plea on Burke’s behalf and pushed for a preliminary hearing to review the prosecution’s evidence as soon as possible. Berk asserted that the evidence would ultimately show Burke was not responsible for Celeste’s death.

Presiding judge Theresa McGonigle denied bail, ordering that Burke remain in custody as the case proceeds through the legal system.

Earlier the same day, Jim McDonnell, Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, revealed new details about the case. Authorities found Celeste’s decomposed and dismembered remains in September 2025 inside the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke. According to investigators, the vehicle had been parked for weeks in a Hollywood Hills neighborhood before it was towed to an impound lot, where workers reported a strong odor that led to the discovery.

Officials said Celeste had been missing for nearly 18 months before her remains were found. Prosecutors allege that she visited Burke’s Hollywood Hills residence on April 23, 2025, and was never seen or heard from again after that date.

The investigation has also uncovered allegations of an inappropriate sexual relationship between Burke and the victim while she was underage. As a result, he faces additional charges including continuous sexual acts with a minor, lewd and lascivious conduct involving a child under 14, and mutilation of a body.

District Attorney Hochman described the case as a “brutal and horrific” crime but indicated that authorities are waiting for the official coroner’s report before publicly confirming the exact cause of death. Prosecutors further allege that Burke may have killed Celeste to prevent her from exposing their relationship, which they claim could have damaged his rising music career.

Before his arrest, Burke had experienced rapid success in the music industry. He first gained widespread attention in 2022 after uploading songs recorded on his phone for gaming content on Fortnite. His music quickly went viral on TikTok, particularly the track Romantic Homicide, which led to a recording contract with Interscope Records. He later performed at the Coachella in 2025, marking a major milestone in his career.

The case has drawn widespread attention due to the severity of the allegations and Burke’s public profile as a young artist who rose to fame through social media. As legal proceedings continue, both prosecutors and defense attorneys are preparing for what is expected to be a closely watched and highly contested trial.