D4Vd Faces The Music: Singer Pleads Not Guilty In Shocking La Murder Case

  • By Jasmine
  • April 22, 2026, 10 a.m.

An LA Courtroom Drama Unfolds

Los Angeles – the city known for its glitz and glamour – now finds itself at the heart of a chilling murder case involving alt-pop singer D4vd. On Monday, the 21-year-old artist, whose real name is David Burke, stood behind glass in a downtown LA courtroom, pleading not guilty to murder and other serious charges surrounding the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Her body was shockingly discovered in Burke’s abandoned Tesla last year, a find that has cast a long shadow over the Hollywood Hills.

The courtroom was immersed in silence as the young girl's parents appeared, their expressions somber, avoiding the press outside. This case has been under wraps for months, stirring public curiosity and media speculation alike. Prosecutors have charged Burke with first-degree murder, among other serious offenses, alleging that he killed the young girl to protect his blossoming music career.

Singer D4vd

Singer D4vd

“We believe the actual evidence will show David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez,” declared his defense attorney, Blair Berk, underscoring the defense team’s confidence that the full facts will exonerate the singer.

The Alarming Allegations Behind the Headlines

Born in Houston, D4vd burst onto the music scene with his genre-blending sounds that captivated a generation on platforms like TikTok. However, beneath the surface of rising stardom lay troubling allegations. Authorities assert that Burke's relationship with Rivas Hernandez involved a series of illicit acts, including alleged sexual abuse beginning when she was just 13. The charges paint a harrowing picture of betrayal, with murder listed among crimes allegedly committed to silence the young witness.

As the details unfold, the case against D4vd includes special circumstances like "lying in wait" and "murdering a witness," which could potentially invoke the harshest penalties under California law. Yet, the decision to pursue the death penalty remains undecided.

D4vd

D4vd

From Stardom to Suspect: A Shocking Fall

D4vd's meteoric rise in the music industry has taken a dark twist since the revelations. Just months before the tragic incident, he was performing at festivals like Coachella, where his blend of indie rock and R&B was drawing large crowds. Despite the cloud of suspicion, the singer was on tour when the grim discovery was made.

The unfolding saga has gripped not just LA but a global audience tuned into every development of this tragic tale. Yet, as the investigations continue, many questions remain about the life and tragic death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, and the true role of D4vd in this chilling narrative.

Jasmine
Author: Jasmine
Jasmine

Jasmine

Jasmine Kwon covers the wildest headlines out of California — from OnlyFans controversies to late-night celebrity arrests. With roots in Koreatown and a radar for viral chaos, Jasmine is always two steps ahead of the next Hollywood meltdown.