Accused Murderer D4vd Says Silent During First Court Appearance [PHOTOS]
On Monday, D4vd made his first court appearance since his arrest in the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
D4vd pleads not guilty to murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez
The 21-year-old D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, stood before a judge in Los Angeles on April 20. He wore black clothing and was shielded by plexiglass. The “Romantic Homicide” singer did not speak, but his lawyers, Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter, entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf.
D4vd has been charged with one count each of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. The criminal complaint against him also includes several special circumstance allegations: murder of a witness, murder for financial gain, and lying in wait. In addition, there is a special allegation that D4vd personally used a deadly and dangerous weapon – a sharp instrument – to commit the crime.
If convicted, he could face the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
District attorney says D4vd killed Hernandez to protect his musical career
Hernandez’s decomposed and dismembered body was discovered in the trunk of D4vd’s abandoned car in September 2025. She had been missing for several months.
“Celeste was just a child, under 14 years old, when David Burke allegedly engaged in repeated lewd and lascivious sexual relations with her,” Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said. “But Burke’s actions did not allegedly stop there.”
“When she threatened to expose his criminal conduct and devastate his musical career, Burke allegedly murdered her, cut up her body and stuffed her body in two bags that were placed in the front trunk of his car,” Hochman said. “There the dismembered body sat for over four months decomposing until it was found at a tow yard on September 8, 2025. This horrific and gruesome murder committed by the charged sexual predator is shocking and appalling. To Celeste’s loved ones, we will get the justice you seek and deserve.”
D4vd’s attorneys say their client is innocent. He’s been held without bail since his arrest on April 16.
“We believe the actual evidence will show David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez,” Berk said, according to the AP. “We would like to have the evidence come into the light of day.
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