Singer D4vd Faces Murder Charges in Case of Missing Teen

Tue Apr 21 2026 14:02:41 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, pleads not guilty to the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The shocking case centers on the discovery of her remains in a Tesla linked to the musician.

US singer D4vd, legally named David Anthony Burke, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges in the case of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a teenager who went missing in April 2025. Her remains were discovered in September of the same year inside a vehicle registered to Burke, leading to a series of charges including murder for financial gain. The courtroom was filled with tension during his arraignment, and the District Attorney discussed the grim circumstances surrounding the case.

US musician D4vd has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder in the death of a teenage girl who vanished last year.

The star, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, is accused of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose decomposing remains were found in September in a Tesla registered to his Texas address.

Burke, 21, also was charged with murder for financial gain and with murder of a witness to an investigation, the Los Angeles district attorney said.

He did not speak during his arraignment on Monday – his first court appearance since his arrest last week. His lawyers entered his plea on his behalf.

In a Los Angeles courtroom on Monday, the musician's defense team said they believed the actual evidence will show that David did not kill Celeste and was not the cause of her death - echoing remarks his attorneys made after his arrest last week.

We will vigorously defend David's innocence, attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter said in a statement. After months of speculation around the case, there was a sense of tension and anticipation in the courtroom ahead of the hearing.

All eyes were on Burke as his team asked for an open hearing following months of grand jury testimony that had been closed to the public. The court ordered the coroner to share the report on the teen's death, which has been barred from public release.

The family of the victim stated they are committed to ensuring that Celeste's voice is heard and her memory honored throughout this process. Their attorney did not immediately respond to comment on the charges.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman detailed how on April 23, 2025, Rivas Hernandez visited Burke's home in Hollywood Hills and was never heard from again. Her dismembered remains were discovered on September 8, 2025, in the front trunk of Burke's Tesla.

Charges are based on three legal points, including first-degree murder with special circumstances, and accusations that the murder was committed for financial gain amid a struggle to maintain Burke's musical career.

The investigation faced scrutiny, and LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell emphasized the commitment to securing justice for Celeste and the challenges faced throughout the inquiry.

Burke, known for his moody, indie-pop music, had a burgeoning career when he was named the target of a grand jury investigation. With 22 million monthly listeners on Spotify and a significant following on TikTok, his rapid rise has now been overshadowed by the seriousness of these accusations.