Old School. Biblically Independent.
By Kayleigh Donaldson | Celebrity | April 21, 2026
The musician D4vd has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder in the death of a teenage girl. Real name David Anthony Burke, the performer was arrested and accused of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were found last year in a car registered to his address. Burke, aged 21, was also charged with murder for “financial gain” and with murder of a witness to an investigation, according to the L.A. District Attorney.
In September 2025, the dismembered body of Hernandez was found and identified by medical examiners. It took until April of this year for Burke to be arrested by the LAPD for her murder. He tried to continue his tour during this time, but ended up having to cancel some events. He is being held without bail. The prosecution’s case is that Burke killed Rivas to protect his music career after she threatened to go public with the fact that he had had sex with her, a minor. This is also where the charge of murdering a witness comes in: Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said that evidence shows Hernandez was a witness in an investigation of sexual acts committed by Burke.
Burke’s lawyers said that they believed the “actual evidence will show that David did not kill Celeste”, and that they will “vigorously defend David’s innocence.” No cause of death has been publicly revealed, and police even had a judge block the release details of the autopsy, arguing that it was necessary to maintain the integrity of the investigation. According to the LAPD police chief, Jim McDonnell, the condition of the remains delayed the medical examiner’s ability to determine cause of death, but that the coroner was able to find it. That court order will soon be lifted.
Celeste’s family has stayed out of the spotlight during all of this. A GoFundMe was set up to support them.
