Image @ BBC
US musician D4vd, legally known as David Anthony Burke, has entered a not guilty plea in connection with the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who disappeared last year. Burke, 21, faces serious charges including first-degree murder, murder for “financial gain,” and the murder of a witness to an ongoing investigation, according to the Los Angeles district attorney’s office.
During his arraignment yesterday, his first court appearance since his arrest last week, Burke remained silent while his attorneys submitted the plea on his behalf. His legal team expressed confidence that the evidence would demonstrate his innocence, stating, “We will vigorously defend David’s innocence.”
Tension filled the Los Angeles courtroom as attendees awaited the hearing. The atmosphere grew somber when Rivas Hernandez’s parents entered, and all attention turned to the door through which Burke was expected to arrive. He was only partially visible to those present.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez
Burke’s defense team requested an open hearing after months of closed grand jury proceedings. The court has mandated that the coroner release the report on Rivas Hernandez’s death, which had previously been withheld from public access.
In a statement provided to CBS News, the Rivas Hernandez family expressed their commitment to ensuring that Celeste’s voice is heard and her memory honored throughout the legal process. Their attorney did not respond immediately to inquiries regarding the charges.
Los Angeles County District Attorney, Nathan Hochman, revealed during a press conference that Rivas Hernandez visited Burke’s residence in the Hollywood Hills on April 23, 2025, and was never seen again. Her dismembered remains were discovered on September 8, 2025, inside the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke. Authorities found severed limbs within a bag when they retrieved the vehicle, prompting Hochman to describe it as “a parent’s nightmare.”
Three specific charges have been filed against Burke:
The first is, First-degree murder with special circumstances of “lying in wait.”
The second is Additional special circumstances related to murder for “financial gain,” alleging that Burke killed Rivas Hernandez to protect his promising music career.
The third is, the murder of a witness to an investigation, as evidence suggests that Rivas Hernandez witnessed sexual acts involving Burke.
Hochman noted that the case includes multiple allegations of sexual offenses with a minor and body mutilation. The district attorney’s office may consider pursuing the death penalty.
In response to criticism regarding the police’s handling of the investigation and their lack of information since the body was found in a Hollywood tow yard seven months ago, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell emphasized the importance of patience in achieving justice. “My duty is not to fuel speculation; it’s to deliver justice,” he stated. “This investigation was focused on securing justice for Celeste Rivas and her loved ones, and we had to ensure that nothing jeopardized this case.”
He noted that the condition of the teenager’s remains hindered the determination of the cause of death. Due to the “significant time elapsed between her passing and the discovery,” crucial evidence had either degraded or vanished, he explained.
When asked by the BBC about the delay in making an arrest, Hochman highlighted the challenges of interviewing numerous individuals, some of whom were “helpful” while others were not, in addition to reviewing all available evidence. “This is the kind of case where we aimed to gather as much information as possible,” he stated, urging anyone with knowledge to step forward.
Burke has been held in custody without bail since his arrest on Thursday.
Originally from Houston, Texas, he gained recognition for his atmospheric indie-pop tracks like “Here With Me” and “Romantic Homicide.” He first rose to fame as a teenager by sharing videos of himself playing Fortnite.
After self-learning music production, he released his debut EP, “Petals To Thorns”, in 2023. That same year, he was featured on Variety’s Young Hollywood list and opened for SZA during her SOS tour.
In April 2025, he launched his debut album, amassing 22 million monthly listeners on Spotify and nearly four million followers on TikTok.
D4vd was on tour when the remains were found. Following the discovery, he canceled his world tour and withdrew from public life shortly thereafter.
Court documents released in February identified him as the “target” of a grand jury investigation regarding the death. The future course of the grand jury proceedings remains unclear. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office stated yesterday that it “cannot comment on grand jury investigations.”
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong