D4vd has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez in an alleged plot to shield his burgeoning music career after she threatened to expose their underage sexual relationship.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman revealed the charges on Monday (April 20), four days after the 21-year-old “Romantic Homicide” singer (David Anthony Burke) was arrested. Hochman said the “brutal and horrific murder” occurred on April 23, 2025 — just two days before the release of D4vd’s debut album, Withered, which opened at No. 13 on the Billboard 200.
“Celeste, a 14-year-old at that time, went to Mr. Burke’s house in the Hollywood Hills,” said Hochman during a press conference. “She was never heard from again.”
Hochman’s office alleged in a press release that D4vd killed Rivas with a “sharp instrument.” Prosecutors also laid out what they believe to be the motive: They claim Rivas was threatening to reveal how D4vd, who was 20 years old at the time, had illegally engaged in sex acts with her as a minor.
“When she threatened to expose his criminal conduct and devastate his musical career, Burke allegedly murdered her, cut up her body and stuffed her body in two bags that were placed in the front trunk of his car,” said Hochman in the press release. “This horrific and gruesome murder committed by the charged sexual predator is shocking and appalling. To Celeste’s loved ones, we will get the justice you seek and deserve.”
The decomposed, partial remains of Rivas, a reported runaway from Lake Elsinore, Calif., were found in the front trunk of an impounded Tesla registered to D4vd in September. After police responded to reports of a “foul odor” coming from the car in a Hollywood tow lot, they discovered two black bags containing severed, decomposed body parts that were later identified as Rivas — including a head, torso and limbs.
In addition to first-degree murder, D4vd is charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child under age 14 and mutilating a body. His murder charge also has a “special circumstances” enhancement, which makes the maximum sentence death or life in prison without parole. Hochman said his office has not yet determined whether to seek the death penalty.
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D4vd is being held in custody without bail. He pleaded not guilty at an arraignment on Monday afternoon, according to the Associated Press. His attorney, Blair Berk, requested that the court hold an evidentiary hearing as soon as possible to evaluate the sufficiency of the charges.
“We believe the actual evidence will show David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez,” Berk told a judge during Monday’s hearing. In a statement last week, Berk said she and her co-counsel “will vigorously defend David’s innocence.”
A follow-up hearing is set for this Thursday (April 23), per NBC News.
D4vd’s career took off in 2022 after his first single, “Romantic Homicide,” went viral on TikTok and eventually hit No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100. He released Withered after two EPs and an opening slot on SZA’s blockbuster SOS tour in 2023.
He had been in the midst of a headlining tour when Rivas’ body was discovered in his car. The tour was cut short, and a deluxe version of Withered was shelved. He’s since been dropped by Darkroom/Interscope Records, Sony Music Publishing and The·Team (formerly Wasserman).
This story was updated on April 20 at 5:55 p.m. ET to add details from D4vd’s arraignment.
