The singer known as D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, prosecutors said. In court documents filed Wednesday, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman alleged Burke killed Hernandez in 2025 after she threatened to expose his criminal conduct and “ruin his music career.”
Burke was arrested nearly a year after Hernandez’s death and faces charges including first-degree murder with special circumstances, lewd and lascivious acts with an individual under 14, and mutilating a body. Prosecutors allege Burke and the Lake Elsinore teen had a romantic relationship.
According to the filing, Burke arranged for a rideshare driver to drop Hernandez at his Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025. Prosecutors wrote that “very soon after her arrival,” Burke stabbed Hernandez multiple times, killing her to silence her before she could reveal his conduct. They say he then tried to cover up the killing by texting and calling Hernandez as if she were alive.
The DA’s Office says Burke, using a fake name, purchased items delivered to his home — a shovel, a body bag, heavy-duty laundry bags, two chainsaws, a blue inflatable pool and a burn cage — via Amazon or Postmates. Prosecutors assert the burn cage was intended to incinerate evidence and the inflatable pool was used “to prevent her blood from spilling onto his garage floor” during dismemberment. They allege Hernandez’s remains were placed in two bags and put in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke.
Medical examiners determined Hernandez died from “multiple penetrating wounds” in April 2025. Prosecutors say Burke left her decomposing body in his Tesla for weeks or months and lied to friends, business associates and others who noticed a strong smell of decay near his home and vehicle.
During a recent court appearance, prosecutors told the judge that Burke possessed a “significant amount of child pornography.” The Rivas Hernandez family’s attorneys declined to comment on that assertion. Hochman said in a news release that Celeste was under 14 when Burke allegedly engaged in repeated lewd and lascivious sexual relations with her and that, when she threatened to expose him, Burke allegedly murdered and dismembered her.
Burke and his lawyers have denied the allegations. In a statement, his attorneys said the evidence will show he did not murder Hernandez and emphasized that no grand jury indictment or criminal complaint had been returned at the time of their statement. They said Burke was detained under suspicion and that they will vigorously defend his innocence.
A Los Angeles County judge set Burke’s preliminary hearing for May 26; a possible status hearing could occur May 12. Burke, 21, said only “yes, ma’am” when asked if he agreed to the new date. Prosecutors expressed displeasure because they had cleared schedules for the original May 1 date.
The murder charge includes special circumstances alleging lying in wait, committing the crime for financial gain and killing a witness in an investigation. If convicted as charged, Burke faces up to life without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.