Musician D4vd has been charged with first-degree murder over the death of a teenage girl whose dismembered remains were found inside a car linked to him, prosecutors in Los Angeles County have said.
The 21-year-old artist, whose legal name is David Burke, is accused of killing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who had been reported missing in 2024.
Her body was discovered in September inside a Tesla Model Y that had been towed from the Hollywood Hills after appearing abandoned, according to court documents.
Investigators said the vehicle was registered to Burke and had been left unattended before being removed. A search of the car revealed a cadaver bag containing remains in an advanced state of decomposition. Authorities said the victim’s body had been dismembered, with additional remains found in a second bag.
The cause of death has not been publicly released, with a court order still blocking details of the autopsy.
Burke’s lawyers said he was innocent, stating that evidence would show he “did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death.”
The case has drawn widespread attention, in part due to Burke’s rising profile. Known professionally as D4vd, he gained popularity after his 2022 breakout track “Romantic Homicide” went viral online.
Following the discovery of the body, the singer initially continued touring before cancelling shows as speculation around the case intensified.
Authorities had been investigating the case for months, with a grand jury probe previously examining evidence and witness testimony.
The investigation has also raised questions about whether an artist’s work can be used in court.
Under a 2022 California law, prosecutors face strict limits on introducing song lyrics or creative content as evidence, amid concerns about prejudice and free speech protections.
Legal analysts say such material could only be used if it is directly relevant and not overly prejudicial - a high bar that courts rarely approve.
Burke is being represented by Blair Berk, one of Hollywood’s most prominent criminal defence lawyers.
A graduate of Harvard Law School, Berk has built a reputation for handling high-profile and complex cases involving celebrities and public figures. Her past clients have included Harvey Weinstein, Kanye West, Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears.
She is known for a strategic and discreet approach that focuses not only on courtroom defence but also on managing public perception in cases that attract intense media scrutiny.
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A Los Angeles judge ruled on Monday that indie pop singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, must stand trial on charges that he fatally stabbed and dismembered 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
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