D4VD pleads not guilty to murdering girl, 14

Prosecution considering death penalty as singer-songwriter faces murder charge in teen girl's death, dismemberment

Published Sep 01, 2026  •  Last updated 2 hours ago  •  2 minute read

D4vd looks on during his arraignment for the murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez at Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center on April 20 in Los Angeles. Photo by Getty Images

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American singer-songwriter D4VD pleaded not guilty to charges that include murder on Monday in Los Angeles, CBS reported.

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D4VD, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, faces charges connected to the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Burke, 21, must now be represented by public defenders after his own legal team withdrew from the case early Monday, for reasons that are not yet clear. Burke’s new defence team asked the judge for more time to enter a plea, but the judge denied the request.

Death penalty?

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman told reporters his office is considering pursuing the death penalty if Burke is convicted.

“I am sure the public defender who will represent David Anthony Burke will give him a zealous representation,” Hochman said. “We anticipate that on behalf of the prosecution and we are ready for it.”

A portrait of the late Celeste Rivas Hernandez is shown during a press briefing by Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman (out of frame) on the case against singer D4vd in Los Angeles, on April 20. Photo by Getty Images

Grim discovery

Burke is standing trial on charges of first-degree murder with special circumstances — lying in wait, murder for financial gain and killing a witness in an investigation — along with lewd and lascivious acts with an individual under 14 and mutilating a body.

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Rivas Hernandez’s mortal remains were found in body bags last September in the trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke. A medical examiner concluded the girl was killed by “multiple penetrating wounds” weeks before authorities found her decomposing and mutilated corpse.

Prosecution claims

The prosecution says Burke and Rivas Hernandez were sexually involved starting when she was 13 years old, and that she had an abortion. Prosecutors say Burke killed her before she could expose him and ruin his music career.

At a preliminary hearing, Los Angeles Police Department Det. Cory Farell went into detail about text messages that said the girl threatened to tell her father “lies” that would end Burke’s music career and damage his life. He added she was also jealous of another female Burke was talking to at the time.

On April 23, 2025, Burke agreed to send a rideshare to collect Rivas Hernandez from her home and bring her to his house in the Hollywood Hills. Farell says Uber records show she arrived shortly after 10 p.m., nearly an hour and 20 minutes before Burke’s phone and car left his house. But Burke’s now-former defence team argued there’s no evidence the girl left the car.

A status conference is scheduled for Oct. 19, and Burke’s trial could begin within 90 days of that hearing.

Read More

1. 

   American singer D4vd to stand trial in killing of teenage girl
2. 

   Teenager allegedly slain by singer D4vd had abortion, court told

3. 

   Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s autopsy reveals cause of death in D4vd murder case

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