SINGER D4vd has pleaded not guilty to murdering and dismembering the body of a 14-year-old girl he was abusing because he feared his sexual crimes against her would ruin his career.

The performer faces the death penalty if found guilty of luring Celeste Rivas Hernandez to his home in April 2025, where he allegedly murdered her with a sharp object, before mutilating her body two weeks later and dumping it in bags inside his Tesla.

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David Anthony Burke, whose stage name is D4vd, seen in court on MondayCredit: AP
 

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The mugshot of David Burke, a 21‑year‑old musician known professionally as D4vd, was revealed on Monday during a press conferenceCredit: Reuters
 

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Celeste Rivas Hernandez had been missing for several months when her remains were found in D4vd’s car trunkCredit: Family Handout
Celeste’s dismembered corpse was not found until seven months later when workers at a Hollywood tow yard were alerted to a rotting smell coming from the trunk of the abandoned car.

D4vd was charged with first-degree murder on Monday, four days after his arrest – and following a mostly secret investigation into the case using a grand jury.

He appeared in court for the first time on Monday afternoon, denying all the claims and demanding a preliminary hearing to see what evidence cops have within 10 days.

On Monday morning, the Los Angeles District Attorney for the first time gave an idea as to D4vd’s alleged motive, claiming Celeste was a witness into his “lewd and lascivious sexual acts.”

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The singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, had reportedly had a sexual relationship with the girl since she was 13 and she had repeatedly run away from home to be with him.

He’s now been accused of sexually abusing her for a year between 2023 and 2024.

On the night of April 23, 2025, Los Angeles DA Nathan Hochman now claims D4vd invited Celeste to his home where he carried out her “brutal and horrific murder.”

He confirmed his office is using the most serious charges that a DA’s office can bring – first degree murder with special circumstances – meaning the death penalty is on the cards rather than just a life sentence.

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The special circumstances include claims D4vd is guilty of murder of a witness, murder for financial gain, and lying in wait, according to the criminal complaint.

He is also charged with lewd and lascivious acts with a person under 14 and mutilating a body.

“In this particular case, the witness to the investigation was Celeste. And the investigation was into the lewd and lascivious sexual acts committed by Mr. Burke [that make up the second charge against him],” he explained.

Hochman said the full details of the special circumstances will be discussed in court in the coming weeks and it had been a “very rigorous and thorough investigation.”

“Evidence will be the witness testimony, the documents, and different types of admissible testimony that we will admit into court,” he explained.

He said there is “physical evidence, forensic and digital evidence” that they plan to use to prove the charges.

Kent Schaffer, an attorney for the singer’s family, told TMZ, “We are disappointed but not surprised that the District Attorney made this decision. David’s family stands behind him 100 per cent.”

Hochman also appealed to anyone who has information related to Celeste’s murder to come forward.

“The coroner’s report will be released shortly,” Hochman added, explaining that the coroner has determined how Celeste was killed.

McDonnell also addressed Celeste’s family and said that today was a “step towards healing” and they are committed to seeking justice.

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D4vd denied all the claims and demanded a preliminary hearing to see what evidence cops have within 10 daysCredit: AP
 

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D4vd has now been charged with murder after being arrested on Thursday in Los AngelesCredit: Alamy
The teen’s father, Jesus Rivas, previously spoke through their lawyer after D4vd’s arrest, saying, “Thank God…justice for Celeste.”

He added that the family was “committed to ensuring that Celeste’s voice is heard.”

D4vd’s arraignment is scheduled for Monday afternoon in Los Angeles.

There was reported chaos before the news conference after a bomb threat at Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Armed officers and a dog from the K9 unit were seen conducting a search of the area, according to reports.

D4vd was charged with one count each of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains.

He is facing life without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.

“The determination on whether or not the District Attorney’s Office will seek the death penalty will be made at a later time,” Hochman said

Timeline in the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez

April 2024 – Celeste Rivas Hernandez, 13, is reported missing from Lake Elsinore, California.

August 5, 2025 – D4vd starts his Withered World Tour.

August 27: A traffic officer marks D4vd’s Tesla over an issue relating to its tires.

September 3: D4vd’s Tesla given a citation.

September 5– D4vd’s Tesla is towed to a Hollywood yard.

September 7 – Rivas turns 15 years old.

September 8 – The Los Angeles Police Department discovered a dismembered body wrapped in plastic in the trunk of D4vd’s impounded Tesla.

September 17 – The decomposing body is identified as Celeste Rivas.

September 18 – D4vd’s house is searched overnight and investigators take a computer and other evidence. D4vd continues his tour with a show in Seattle. Rivas’s family breaks their silence on their GoFundMe page.

September 19 – D4vd cancels the rest of his tour.

September 23 – Rivas’s body is released to her family. It’s revealed that D4vd and his manager have broken their lease and left the house that was raided in Hollywood.

October 6 – Rivas is buried in a private funeral ceremony in Rowland Heights, California.

April 16 – D4vd arrested on suspicion of murder and his lawyers vow to defend him.

April 20 – Charges are announced at a press conference in Los Angeles as Celeste’s family speaks out.

D4vd’s attorneys, Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter, vowed to “vigorously defend” his client’s innocence.

“Let us be clear — the actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death,” they said.

Experts told The U.S. Sun they believe the arrest took so long as investigators tried to get D4vd’s inner circle to tell the truth about what they knew.

RJ Dreiling, a former Los Angeles County deputy district attorney, said, “When we have a body decomposing in a car with no clear suspects at the beginning, it can take a long time for investigators to piece things together with forensic evidence and interviews.

“It’s not like a typical murder case where there’s a shooting or a stabbing, where the police arrive and arrest someone.”

He added, “Bail for a murder is $2 million. If prosecutors ask for no bail, they will need to present evidence that he is a flight risk or that he could cause harm to the public.”

Dreiling, who is not connected to the case, also warned that it is complex and prosecutors have a challenge on their hands.

He said, “They will have to tie D4vd to the crime. The main issue they have above everything else is proving it was a homicide, not accidental death, and they must prove D4vd is the one who did it.

“I expect the defense will say D4vd wasn’t involved and argue there isn’t even enough proof this was a murder.

“And those could be very winning arguments, especially if the forensic evidence and the witness statements don’t line up.”

The rising star, who had previously played Coachella Festival, was on his Withered World Tour when the discovery was made.

He suddenly pulled the plug on his remaining concerts and hadn’t been seen in public prior to his arrest.

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D4vd first found fame with songs like Romantic Homicide and Here With Me, which have amassed billions of streams.

He gained a following by livestreaming himself playing video games, and then started releasing music that went viral on TikTok.

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Attorney Patrick W. Steinfeld and family members of Celeste Rivas Hernandez seen leaving court on MondayCredit: Reuters
 

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A missing poster was distributed after Celeste Rivas reportedly ran away from home in Lake Elsinore, CaliforniaCredit: Family Handout
 

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A makeshift memorial with flowers, candles and stuffed toys sits honoring Celeste Rivas, 14, near her homeCredit: Reuters