d4vd has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges related to the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The formal plea, entered on Monday, April 20, followed the 21-year-old artist’s arrest without bail on April 16.
Born David Burke, the Houston-based singer faced a rapid public and professional fallout after the remains of Rivas Hernandez were discovered on September 8 in an abandoned Tesla registered in his name. At the time of the discovery, Burke was actively touring, and while he performed on the night the vehicle was found, subsequent tour dates were canceled. His record label, Interscope, terminated their relationship with the artist, and his presence was removed from various media and marketing campaigns.
Who was Celeste Rivas Hernandez?
Rivas Hernandez was a child runaway who had been reported missing by her parents in April 2024. Prosecutors allege that she was subjected to grooming and sexual abuse by d4vd for approximately one year, spanning from September 2023 to September 2024.
Timeline of the Alleged Crime
According to the criminal complaint, authorities believe Rivas Hernandez was murdered around April 23, 2025, at Burke’s residence in the Hollywood Hills. This timeline places the incident roughly two weeks after his debut performance at Coachella. The charges include first-degree murder with special circumstances, as well as allegations of lewd acts with a minor and the dismemberment of the victim’s body.
Legal Stakes and Defense
Because the Los Angeles District Attorney has filed charges with special circumstances—specifically citing the murder of a witness and murder for financial gain—Burke could face the death penalty if convicted. Prosecutors contend that the motive for the crime was to protect his rising music career.
The defense team, comprised of Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter, has publicly contested the allegations. In a statement, the attorneys asserted, “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 further noted that no grand jury indictment has been returned and that they intend to mount a vigorous defense.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated during a press conference that the prosecution possesses a combination of physical, forensic, and digital evidence to present to a jury. When questioned regarding the seven-month delay between the discovery of the remains and the arrest, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell emphasized that the investigation was conducted with extreme caution to ensure the integrity of the case.
