David Burke, the 21-year-old singer known as D4vd, appeared in a Los Angeles court on Monday, April 20th, where he pleaded not guilty. The court arraignment followed after a massive investigation into the death of a 14-year-old, Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
The case began in September 2025, when Celeste’s remains were discovered in the trunk of a Tesla registered to David Burke. The tesla had been towed from Hollywood Hills after being abandoned while the singer was on tour.
During the proceedings, Prosecutors outlined several severe charges against David Burke, including first-degree murder with special circumstances.
The Los Angeles District Attorney’s office alleges that David was in an unlawful relationship with the minor, Celeste, and murdered her to protect his career after she threatened to speak to authorities.
Investigators stated that Celeste was last seen alive at Burke’s residence in April 2025. Burke and his attorney were denying all the allegations; they claim that David was only being detained due to the suspicion they have for him, but have no real evidence.
A year after her death, Burke was charged with first-degree murder.
Burke’s attorneys state, “There has been no indictment returned by any grand jury in this case and no criminal complaint filed. David has only been detained under suspicion. We will vigorously defend David’s innocence.”
They claim that Burke denied any comments towards the smell around his home and vehicle, they also claim that Burke allegedly murdered her to protect his music career after she threatened to expose his criminal conduct.
While the defense maintains that there is “no real evidence,” a nine-page court memo filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday paints a far more graphic picture of the night Celeste Rivas Hernandez disappeared. Prosecutors allege that on April 23, 2025, Burke paid for a rideshare to transport the 14-year-old from her home in Lake Elsinore to his Hollywood Hills residence.
The District Attorney further alleged that the relationship began when Celeste was just 11 years old. Despite being warned by law enforcement in early 2024 that she was a “13-year-old runaway,” Burke allegedly continued to pursue her, even allegedly paying one of her classmates $1,000 to deliver a secret cellphone to her after her parents had confiscated her original phone.
A student here at APB, Wendy Salazar, had a shocked reaction to the news. “Are you serious! I can’t believe this really happened. I loved his music.” The student said, devastated by the news.
As of right now, prosecutors are deciding on what consequences David Burke is eligible for a death penalty is even being considered since the last one happened years ago in 2021. He pleaded not guilty, and so far no decision has been made on whether he will seek death or a sentence to life in prison.
