Musician D4vd Pleads Not Guilty in Murder Case

On Monday, singer D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, entered a not guilty plea regarding the murder of a 14-year-old girl. Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found dismembered and badly decomposed in the trunk of a Tesla, which Burke allegedly abandoned in September of last year.

The 21-year-old alt-pop artist was arrested in Los Angeles last Thursday following a lengthy seven-month period of public speculation related to Hernandez’s disappearance, noted as having occurred in 2024.

Burke faces serious charges including first-degree murder, ambush, commission of a crime for financial gain, and the killing of a witness under investigation. These charges potentially carry the death penalty, as announced by Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hockman on Monday. Other charges include continued sexual activity with a minor, lewd conduct, and mutilation of a corpse.

During Burke’s arraignment, his defense team pleaded not guilty to all charges, claiming evidence would demonstrate his innocence. “We believe the actual evidence will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez,” stated lead defense attorney Blair Burke.

Bail was denied during the arraignment, which included attendance from Hernandez’s parents. According to authorities, Burke was said to have engaged in sexual abuse of Hernandez for over a year, starting when she was just 13 years old.

Authorities report that in April 2025, Burke invited the victim to his Hollywood Hills residence, where he allegedly killed her after she threatened to expose their relationship amidst his rising music career.

Prosecutors allege that Burke dismembered her body about two weeks following the murder. The decomposed remains were discovered in the trunk of a vehicle registered to Burke on September 8, 2025.

“At the time David Burke allegedly engaged in repeated lewd and lascivious sexual relations with Celeste, she was a child under the age of 14,” said Hockman. He elaborated on the brutal nature of the murder, noting that when Hernandez threatened to reveal Burke’s activities, he is said to have killed her, dismembered her body, and concealed it in bags within his car’s front trunk for more than four months.

Burke was reportedly on tour when Hernandez’s body was found, and he subsequently canceled remaining shows following the allegations against him. If convicted, he could potentially face the death penalty or life in prison without parole.