Los Angeles County prosecutors announced charges against D4vd, 22, on Monday, alleging he killed Celeste Rivas Hernandez to protect his career after she threatened to report their sexual relationship. The charges include murder with special circumstances of lying in wait, committing a crime for financial gain, and murdering a witness, which could carry the death penalty. Prosecutors have not yet announced whether they will seek capital punishment. The special circumstance of murdering a witness refers to Rivas Hernandez herself, who prosecutors say could have testified about the sex crime allegations.
According to the criminal complaint, D4vd engaged in continuous sexual abuse of Rivas Hernandez for at least a year, from September 2023 to September 2024. The abuse allegedly began when she was 13. Authorities described Rivas Hernandez as a 'runaway' during the investigation. She was reported missing by her family in April 2024, when she was 13. Prosecutors allege she was last known to be alive on April 23, 2025, a day she was at Burke's house in the Hollywood Hills. However, there is a discrepancy: some reports indicate she was last seen in spring 2024. The 2025 date aligns with the release of D4vd's debut album 'Withered', which came out two days after she was last seen alive, a timing prosecutors use to suggest motive. Prosecutors allege Burke killed Rivas Hernandez with a sharp object on or around April 23, 2025, and mutilated her body about two weeks later. The Los Angeles County medical examiner's office determined the cause of death was multiple penetrating injuries. Her remains were found in a Tesla registered to D4vd in September 2024, according to Los Angeles police.
We believe the actual evidence will show David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
D4vd pleaded not guilty to all charges during his arraignment. A defense lawyer entered the not guilty pleas on his behalf. Burke appeared in court behind glass in a custody area, dressed in black, and a judge ordered him held without bail. The girl's parents attended the hearing and did not speak to reporters. D4vd was transferred to LA County Men's Central Jail and separated from general population due to his high-profile status, according to TMZ. Lead defense attorney Blair Berk stated in court: 'We believe the actual evidence will show David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez.' Berk requested a public preliminary hearing as soon as possible. D4vd's attorneys, including Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter, said in a statement: 'We will vigorously defend David against these charges and we expect he will be fully exonerated.'
Celeste's family issued a statement through attorney Patrick Steinfeld, thanking police and seeking justice. Steinfeld said: 'We are grateful to the Los Angeles Police Department for their diligent work in this case. We ask for privacy as we continue to grieve and seek justice for Celeste.' Several unknowns remain in the case, including the exact date of Celeste's disappearance and last confirmed sighting, what evidence links D4vd to the murder beyond the remains being found in his Tesla, and the nature of the relationship between D4vd and Celeste, including how they met. Authorities have not explained why Celeste was described as a 'runaway' or detailed her family situation.
We are grateful to the Los Angeles Police Department for their diligent work in this case. We ask for privacy as we continue to grieve and seek justice for Celeste.