Singer d4vd Pleads Not Guilty To Capital Murder And Abuse Of 14-Year-Old In Los Angeles
Singer d4vd, real name David Burke, pleaded not guilty Monday to first-degree murder and related charges in Los Angeles.
He was arraigned in Los Angeles County, denied bail, and his lawyers entered not-guilty pleas to all counts. District Attorney Nathan Hochman filed first-degree murder charges that include three special-circumstance allegations and additional counts for lewd and lascivious acts and mutilating a body. Those special-circumstance allegations can make the case eligible for the death penalty, though prosecutors have not said whether they will seek it.
Prosecutors say the victim was 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, reported missing at 13 from Lake Elsinore in 2024. Her dismembered, severely decomposed remains were found Sept. 8, 2025, in two cadaver bags inside the front storage compartment of a 2023 Tesla Model Y registered to Burke. Authorities say the car had been towed from a Hollywood Hills neighborhood after residents reported a foul smell and flies, and it was searched at a tow yard. A secret Los Angeles County grand jury had targeted Burke and subpoenaed relatives, a development revealed when his family moved to quash subpoenas in Texas. Officials have not publicly released a cause of death, and Burke's defense team says evidence will show he did not kill Celeste.
Early reporting emphasized Burke's arrest and the grisly discovery, while later coverage added detailed allegations about motive and abuse. Outlets including Fox News and PBS published prosecutors' accounts that an alleged relationship and a threat to expose it prompted the killing, shifting the narrative from arrest to specific allegations. Public reaction online has been polarized, with some users calling for harsh punishment and others urging patience and respect for due process; social posts echoed the defense's promise to fight the charges while critics noted eerie links between Burke's music and the allegations.
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This story is compiled from 15 sources using AI-assisted curation and analysis. Original reporting is attributed below. Learn about our methodology.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- Los Angeles prosecutors filed first-degree murder charges against David Burke (stage name d4vd) and added special‑circumstance allegations — lying in wait, committing the crime for financial gain, and murdering a witness — making the case eligible for the death penalty though prosecutors have not said whether they will seek it; prosecutors also charged him with lewd and lascivious sexual acts with a person under 14 and mutilating a body.
- Burke was arrested, held without bail, arraigned in Los Angeles County, pleaded not guilty to all counts, and a judge denied bail at the arraignment.
- The victim is 14‑year‑old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who was reported missing at 13 from Lake Elsinore in 2024; prosecutors say she was last heard from on April 23, 2025 after going to Burke’s Hollywood Hills home, and her dismembered, severely decomposed remains were found Sept. 8, 2025 (one day after what would have been her 15th birthday).
- Investigators found Hernandez’s remains in cadaver bags inside a 2023 Tesla Model Y registered to Burke that had been towed from an upscale Hollywood Hills neighborhood after appearing abandoned; court documents describe a cadaver bag covered with insects and a second bag containing severed limbs, and reports variously locate the bags in the vehicle’s front storage compartment (frunk) or trunk.
- District Attorney Nathan Hochman publicly outlined prosecutors’ allegations that Burke killed Hernandez with a sharp object on April 23, 2025 after she threatened to expose their relationship, mutilated her body about two weeks later, and concealed the remains in his car to protect his rising career.
- An LA County grand jury had been secretly investigating Burke and had subpoenaed his parents and brother in Texas; the grand jury’s existence became public when the family moved to quash those subpoenas.
- Burke’s defense team, including attorney Blair Berk and other named lawyers, issued statements denying he murdered Celeste and vowing to vigorously defend him; prosecutors have not publicly released a cause of death and police previously blocked public release of the autopsy.
- Burke, a 21‑year‑old musician who had been touring on the “d4vd Withered 2025 World Tour,” canceled shows after the discovery and identification; the arrest, charging and arraignment have received national television coverage.
đź“° Source Timeline (15)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
April 21, 2026
12:58 AM
Singer D4vd charged with murder in death of 14-year-old found in his car
New information:
- CBS piece timestamps that prosecutors announced the first-degree murder charge only hours before David Burke's Monday court appearance.
- Confirms that national television coverage is now explicitly naming the victim as 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez in connection with the initial charging announcement.
- Provides on‑camera confirmation that Burke, known as singer d4vd, personally appeared in court the same day the first-degree murder charge was publicly announced.
12:25 AM
Singer D4vd pleads not guilty to murder of young girl allegedly found dismembered, decomposing in his car
New information:
- Burke was arraigned Monday in Los Angeles County and his attorneys entered not-guilty pleas to all counts.
- The judge denied Burke bail at arraignment, and the hearing was attended by the victim's parents.
- Prosecutors publicly alleged a specific narrative: that Burke killed Celeste Rivas Hernandez with a sharp object at his Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025 after she threatened to expose their relationship, then mutilated her body about two weeks later.
- Fox’s account specifies the alleged abuse timeline as beginning when the victim was 13 and lasting from at least September 2023 to September 2024.
- Los Angeles County DA Nathan Hochman gave a detailed, on-record statement outlining the alleged motive (protecting Burke's rising career), method, and concealment of the body in bags in the Tesla's front trunk for over four months.
- Defense attorney Blair Berk issued a clear public statement asserting that the evidence will show Burke did not murder Celeste and calling for the evidence to be brought "into the light of day."
April 20, 2026
8:57 PM
Details on charges against d4vd in killing of 14-year-old girl
New information:
- CBS confirms Los Angeles prosecutors filed charges on Monday in the murder of the 14-year-old whose dismembered body was found in d4vd's car.
- Segment frames the development specifically as a formal charging step following last year's discovery of the body in his vehicle.
6:42 PM
Singer D4vd charged with murder of 14-year-old found decomposed in his car
New information:
- Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman publicly detailed that the first-degree murder charge carries three special-circumstance allegations: lying in wait, committing the crime for financial gain, and murdering a witness in an investigation, making this a potential death-penalty case, though prosecutors have not decided whether to seek death.
- Prosecutors specified that Burke is additionally charged with lewd and lascivious acts with a person under 14 and mutilating a body, expanding the known charge list beyond murder alone.
- Hochman provided a clearer timeline, saying Celeste was last heard from on April 23, 2025, after going to Burke's Hollywood Hills home, and that she was described as a runaway who was 14 at the time of her killing.
- The article adds more procedural history, confirming that an LA County grand jury secretly targeted Burke and that its existence surfaced when his parents and brother challenged subpoenas in Texas earlier this year.
- The piece supplies added forensic detail on discovery of the remains, including the description of a cadaver bag covered with insects and a second black bag containing severed limbs inside Burke's Tesla, which had been towed from an upscale Hollywood Hills neighborhood where it appeared abandoned.
6:32 PM
Singer D4vd Charged With Murder of 14-Year-Old Girl Found in His Car Trunk
New information:
- Wall Street Journal confirms prosecutors charged Burke with both first-degree murder and committing lewd and lascivious sexual acts on Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
- WSJ reiterates that the victim's dismembered body was found in the trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke months before the charges.
- Article restates Burke's legal name (David Burke) and stage name (d4vd) but adds no significant procedural updates beyond the filing of charges already reported elsewhere.
5:47 PM
Singer d4vd charged with first-degree murder in 14-year-old girl's death, DA announces
New information:
- CBS segment reiterates that Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has charged singer d4vd with first-degree murder.
- Confirms again that 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez's dismembered body was found in a Tesla registered to the musician.
- Frames the charging decision as a formal public announcement by the district attorney but does not add new factual details beyond what is already in the existing story.
5:12 PM
D4vd charged with murder in connection with death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez
New information:
- Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman formally filed a first-degree murder charge with special circumstances against David Burke, known as d4vd.
- Hernandez's dismembered and severely decomposed remains were found in two cadaver bags inside the trunk of Burke's Tesla at a Hollywood tow yard, according to court records.
- DA Hochman publicly described the filing as including "the most serious charges that a DA's office can bring."
- The article confirms the tow yard discovery occurred after reports of a foul smell and flies coming from the vehicle.
- The piece notes Burke was on his "d4vd Withered 2025 World Tour" and canceled a Seattle concert the day Hernandez's identity was made public.
2:29 PM
Singer d4vd expected to face murder charge
New information:
- Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office is expected to file a murder charge against d4vd on Monday.
- CBS pegs the expected charge to seven months after Celeste Rivas' body was found in a car he owned.
- CBS reiterates that the 21-year-old musician was arrested last week, framing this as a prelude to formal charging.
April 18, 2026
12:08 AM
What we know about the arrest of singer d4vd in teen girl's death
New information:
- CBS segment reiterates that David Burke, known as d4vd, is in custody on suspicion of murder after discovery of a 14-year-old girl's body in his Tesla.
- It restates that the remains were found in September 2025 and that he is currently behind bars while prosecutors review the case.
April 17, 2026
5:55 PM
What to know about singer D4vd's arrest in 14-year-old's killing
New information:
- Clarifies that David Burke has been arrested on suspicion of murder but has not yet been charged; the DA's Major Crimes Division is reviewing the case.
- Notes prosecutors are expected to receive the case Monday and will then decide whether to file charges.
- Details a defense statement from three named attorneys explicitly asserting Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and vowing to "vigorously" defend his innocence.
- Provides additional narrative on Celeste Rivas Hernandez's disappearance from Lake Elsinore at age 13 and confirms authorities list her age as 14 at the time she was killed.
- Reiterates and elaborates on autopsy-related secrecy, including police blocking public release of the autopsy findings in November.
- Adds more career context on Burke's tour and cancellations tied to the discovery of the body.
3:40 PM
Singer D4vd is arrested in the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez
New information:
- Confirms LAPD has arrested David Burke (d4vd) on suspicion of murder in the killing of Celeste Rivas Hernandez and is holding him without bail.
- Clarifies that the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Major Crimes Division will review the case Monday to decide whether to file charges; no indictment or complaint has yet been filed.
- Details the condition and discovery of Celeste's body: dismembered remains in cadaver bags inside Burke's apparently abandoned 2023 Tesla Model Y towed from a Hollywood Hills neighborhood.
- Documents that Burke has been a formal target of an LA County grand jury investigation, revealed when his parents and brother moved in Texas court to quash subpoenas.
- Provides first public statement from Burke's defense team, explicitly asserting he did not murder Celeste and vowing to vigorously defend his innocence.
- Reiterates Celeste's disappearance history: reported missing at age 13 from Lake Elsinore in 2024, body found Sept. 8, 2025, the day after what would have been her 15th birthday.
2:19 AM
Singer D4vd is arrested months after a teen's remains were found in his car
New information:
- Confirms LAPD statement that David Burke (d4vd) was arrested on suspicion of murder and is being held without bail in the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
- Details that LAPD plans to present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office on Monday and that the DA's Major Crimes Division will review whether to file charges.
- Adds specific narrative about how the body was discovered: Tesla towed from an upscale Hollywood Hills neighborhood after sitting apparently abandoned, then searched at a tow yard.
- Provides graphic forensic details from court documents: cadaver bag covered with insects and strong odor of decay, decomposed head and torso observed, arms and legs severed and found in a second bag.
- Clarifies victim timeline: Celeste was reported missing at 13 in 2024 from Lake Elsinore, was 14 when killed, and her body was found Sept. 8, 2025, one day after what would have been her 15th birthday.
- Reiterates that a Los Angeles County grand jury had already been secretly investigating Burke and that his parents and brother were subpoenaed in Texas, revealing him as the grand jury’s target.
- Notes that no cause of death has been publicly released and that Burke’s representatives have not responded to multiple AP requests for comment.
1:55 AM
Singer D4vd arrested and held without bail in case tied to teen found dead in Tesla: Police
New information:
- LAPD publicly states that David Burke (d4vd) is being held without bail following his arrest.
- LAPD says the case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on Monday for filing consideration, indicating charges are not yet formally filed.
- Fox reproduces grand jury subpoena language specifying that the Tesla was a 2023 Model Y, that a cadaver bag containing a decomposed, dismembered body was found in the front storage compartment, and that a second bag contained severed arms and legs.
- The article reconfirms, via AP-cited documents, that Burke was the grand jury’s named target for one count of murder and that three relatives received subpoenas for testimony.
- Timeline detail that Hernandez was reported missing as a 13‑year‑old in 2024 and was 14 when killed; her body was found Sept. 8, 2025, one day after what would have been her 15th birthday.
1:22 AM
D4vd Arrested in Connection With Death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez
New information:
- Confirms that Los Angeles prosecutors have formally charged d4vd in connection with the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, not just arrested him on suspicion.
- Provides the victim’s full name, Celeste Rivas Hernandez, and clarifies her age and status as a teenager (if specified in the NYT piece).
- Adds details about the circumstances of the incident involving a Tesla (as implied by the URL), including where and how the body was discovered and any new timeline specifics.
- Includes new quotes or statements from law enforcement, prosecutors or defense counsel regarding the nature of the charges and next court dates.