Los Angeles County DA charges musician d4vd with murder and child abuse in 2025 case
Prosecutors allege that singer-songwriter David Anthony Burke, known as d4vd, killed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez after a dispute and faced multiple charges including first-degree murder and continuous sexual abuse of a child.
Los Angeles County District Attorney officials have filed a nine-page brief charging singer-songwriter David Anthony Burke, 21, who performs under the name d4vd, with first-degree murder with special circumstances, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and mutilating human remains. The charges stem from the death of 14-year-old Celelle Rivas Hernandez, whose dismembered remains were discovered in the trunk of Burke’s impounded Tesla on September 8, 2025.
According to the prosecution, the fatal incident followed a heated text-message exchange on April 22, 2025, in which Hernandez threatened to reveal personal information about Burke’s relationships. Prosecutors say Burke arranged for an Uber to transport Hernandez to his Hollywood Hills residence, where she arrived around 10:10 p.m. The brief alleges that Burke then stabbed her multiple times, allowing her to bleed out.
In the days after the killing, Burke is reported to have purchased two chainsaws, a body bag, heavy-duty laundry bags, and a blue inflatable pool through online retailers. The brief states that he placed the victim’s body in the inflatable pool to contain blood, used a chainsaw to sever limbs, and subsequently stored body parts in a cadaver bag and a garbage bag before placing them in the vehicle’s trunk.
Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His attorney, Blair Berk, issued a statement asserting that evidence will demonstrate Burke was not responsible for the death. The case has drawn attention to Burke’s rising music career, including an upcoming album release and a planned international tour.
Family representatives expressed grief over the loss, emphasizing the need for privacy and time to heal. The investigation continues as the court prepares for upcoming proceedings.