Los Angeles County prosecutors charged singer D4vd with first-degree murder on Monday in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were found in the trunk of his Tesla last September.
Prosecutors allege financial motive and witness silencing in murder case
District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated that David Burke, the 21-year-old artist known professionally as D4vd, killed Hernandez to prevent her from exposing their sexual relationship and threatening his lucrative music career. Prosecutors say Burke engaged in repeated lewd and lascivious acts with the minor, then murdered her, dismembered her body, and placed the remains in two bags inside the front trunk of his impounded vehicle. The special circumstance allegations — murder for financial gain and killing a witness to other crimes — make Burke eligible for the death penalty under California law.
For more on this story, see d4vd Arrested in Connection With Murder of Teen Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Defense maintains innocence and challenges prosecution evidence
Attorneys for Burke, including Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter, released a statement after his arrest asserting that the evidence will show he did not cause Hernandez’s death. They pledged to vigorously defend his innocence, contradicting the prosecution’s narrative of a premeditated act to protect his career. The case stems from a months-long investigation following Hernandez’s disappearance in April, with her remains discovered months later during a routine vehicle impound.
This follows our earlier report, Riverside County Sheriff Arrests Singer D4vd in Murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
What charges does D4vd face besides murder?
In addition to first-degree murder with special circumstances, Burke is charged with lascivious sexual acts with a minor and mutilating a corpse, all related to the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Where was the victim’s body found?
Hernandez’s remains were discovered in the trunk of an impounded Tesla belonging to D4vd last September, after she had been reported missing since April.
