TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - US singer D4vd has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez and has pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
The 21-year-old artist, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, made his first court appearance on Monday, April 20, shortly after the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office formally announced multiple charges against him. These include first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains, as cited by the USA Today.
According to authorities, the case involves special circumstances such as “lying in wait,” committing murder for financial gain, and killing a potential witness. District Attorney Nathan Hochman described the case as a “brutal and horrific murder” and said the charges could carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment without parole or the death penalty. “A parent’s worst nightmare is when their child goes out and never returns,” Hochman said, adding that a decision on seeking capital punishment will be made at a later stage.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez had been reported missing in April 2024 at the age of 13. Investigators later determined she was last seen alive on April 23, 2025, when she arrived at Burke’s residence in the Hollywood Hills. Months later, on September 8, 2025—one day after what would have been her 15th birthday—her body was discovered in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke after police responded to reports of a foul odor.
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell said the victim’s body was found “dismembered and badly decomposed,” which complicated efforts by medical examiners to determine the exact cause of death. He added that investigators uncovered evidence suggesting the victim had an alleged sexual relationship with Burke while she was still a minor.
Burke was arrested in Los Angeles on April 16 and is currently being held without bail. His legal team has strongly denied the allegations. In a statement, his attorneys said, “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. We will vigorously defend David’s innocence.”
Responding to criticism over the handling of the investigation, McDonnell emphasized the importance of due process. “My duty is not to speculate, but to deliver justice. That requires patience and discipline from everyone involved,” he said, noting that the condition of the remains and the time gap between death and discovery led to degraded evidence.
Meanwhile, the victim’s family has called for justice. Their attorney, Patrick Steinfeld, said the family is committed to ensuring that Celeste’s voice is heard. Her father, Jesus Rivas, expressed relief following the arrest, saying, “Thank God… justice for Celeste,” according to The New York Times.
The case remains under investigation as prosecutors prepare for trial.
Read: D4vd Arrested Months After Teen Found Dead in His Tesla Trunk
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
