In brief
US singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, has entered a not guilty plea in a Los Angeles courtroom on charges of first-degree murder in the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The 14-year-old went missing in April 2025, and her remains were discovered in a Tesla linked to Burke's Texas residence. Prosecutors allege the murder was motivated by financial gain and the victim was a witness to acts he committed. Burke remains in custody and his defense claims he is innocent, with the possibility of the death penalty looming over the case.
In a shocking legal development, US musician D4vd has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder in the case of missing teenager Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The court appearance marked the singer's first since his arrest last week, where he faces serious allegations stemming from the disappearance and subsequent discovery of Rivas's remains in a vehicle registered to him.David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, is accused of murdering the 14-year-old girl whose remains were found in September 2025, months after she went missing in April of the same year. The Los Angeles District Attorney's office has indicated that the charges include murder for financial gain and the murder of a witness to an ongoing investigation.Burke's legal team, during the arraignment, emphasized their belief in his innocence, stating that they will vigorously defend him against the accusations. His attorneys reiterated that the evidence will show he was not responsible for the girl's death.The courtroom atmosphere was charged with emotion as Rivas’s parents attended the hearing, which also revealed details about the nature of the charges. Prosecutors indicated that Rivas was allegedly involved in an investigation regarding sexual acts involving Burke, implying that the motive for her murder was to eliminate a witness.Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman highlighted the gruesome nature of the case, detailing the conditions under which Rivas’s remains were recovered, which included severe mutilation. Authorities are considering seeking the death penalty as the case progresses.Burke, who previously rose to fame with his indie-pop tracks, now faces a grave legal battle as he remains in custody without bail. His earlier successful musical career has been overshadowed by the allegations, prompting him to retreat from public appearances, including canceling a world tour as the investigation continued.
