D4vd Official Charged With First Degree Murder; Could Face Death Penalty
D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, has officially been charged with the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The announcement by the Los Angeles County District Attorney comes four days after Burke was arrested on suspicion of murder at his rental home in the Hollywood Hills. The arrest, months in the making, made headlines and led to further speculation about the teen’s tragic death and Burke’s sexual involvement with the runaway. Here’s everything we know so far.
D4vd has been charged with first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts, and mutilation of a corpse
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced the charges against D4vd, noting that they are the most serious possible. The 21-year-old singer has been charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances. He has also been charged with multiple counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a person under the age of 14 and mutilation of a corpse.
Hochman noted that the case is particularly heinous and that the special circumstances attached to the charges are serious. Investigators contend that D4vd lay in wait for Celeste, killed her for financial gain, and killed a witness in an investigation.
Hochman also shared that it is believed that Celeste Rivas Hernandez was killed in late April, despite her body being discovered in September. He noted that the teen traveled to D4vd’s home after he asked her to come over. April 23 was the final evening anyone heard from the teen and likely is the date she was killed. Hochman elected not to make additional details public at this time but noted the coroner’s report would be released shortly.
D4vd has hired a legal team to fight the charges now levied against him. His parents, Dawud and Colleen Burke, are expected to fly from Texas to Los Angeles to support their son. Their lawyer previously spoke with Rolling Stone and insisted the couple believes in their son’s innocence. If convicted, D4vd could face life in prison. The most serious charge also carries the possibility of the death penalty.
This is a developing story…
