Singer D4vd has pleaded not guilty after prosecutors charged him in the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The 14-year-old was found dead in September 2025 inside a Tesla registered to the artist. The case has shaken music fans, partly because Burke’s career was still rising fast. Prosecutors now allege he killed the teen to protect that career.
Celeste Rivas Case Moves Into Court
D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, was arrested in Los Angeles this month. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office later charged him with first-degree murder. Prosecutors also filed additional charges tied to the teen’s age and the handling of her remains.
Burke appeared in court on April 20 and entered a not guilty plea. His attorneys have said they plan to fight the case. They also said evidence will show he did not cause Celeste’s death.
Authorities said Celeste’s remains were found in an impounded Tesla in Hollywood. The car had been parked in the area before it was towed. The discovery turned an already troubling missing-person case into a major criminal investigation.
Prosecutors Lay Out Their Theory
District Attorney Nathan Hochman said the charges include special circumstances. Those allegations include financial gain, lying in wait and killing a witness. If proven, they could carry severe penalties under California law.
Prosecutors claim Celeste had been involved in an alleged relationship with Burke while underage. They further allege he killed her after fearing she could expose him. Burke has denied wrongdoing through his legal team.
The case has also drawn attention because investigators kept key records sealed for months. That secrecy fueled online speculation before prosecutors finally announced charges. Now, the court process has started to replace rumors with filings.
Autopsy Report Adds New Details
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner later ruled Celeste’s death a homicide. The report said she died from multiple penetrating injuries. Officials released the report after earlier restrictions tied to the investigation.
The findings gave Celeste’s family another painful piece of the case. They had waited months while investigators worked behind closed doors. Public interest grew as fans questioned the timeline around Burke’s tour and abandoned car.
For now, Burke remains in custody while the case moves forward. His defense has rejected the allegations, and prosecutors must prove every charge in court. The next hearings will likely shape how much more the public learns about Celeste’s final months.
