Singer and songwriter D4vd has been charged with first-degree homicide within the demise of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose dismembered physique was present in a Tesla belonging to the musician final 12 months.
Los Angeles County District Lawyer Nathan Hochman introduced the fees towards D4vd, whose actual title is David Anthony Burke, on Monday morning, saying he was charged with first-degree homicide with particular circumstances, lewd and lascivious acts with a person below 14 and mutilating a physique.
“These fees embody probably the most severe fees {that a} DA’s workplace can deliver,” Hochman stated.
On Tuesday, Rivas’ household shared their first public assertion because the investigation started final 12 months.
“We wish to thank the Los Angeles Police Division and the District Lawyer’s Workplace for his or her arduous work. We wish to thank the folks of Lake Elsinore for all their assist,” the assertion stated, partly. “Celeste was a phenomenal, sturdy lady who liked to sing and dance. Each Friday evening was film evening and we spent great occasions collectively. We love her very a lot and she or he all the time informed us that she liked us. We miss her deeply.”
“All we would like is Justice for Celeste,” the assertion stated.
Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Occasions by way of Getty Photos 
Burke, 21, was arrested final week after turning into the goal of a grand jury investigation into the demise of Hernandez.
“Celeste was only a little one, below 14 years previous, when David Burke allegedly engaged in repeated lewd and lascivious sexual relations along with her,” Hochman stated in a information launch asserting the fees. “However Burke’s actions didn’t allegedly cease there. When she threatened to show his legal conduct and devastate his musical profession, Burke allegedly murdered her, lower up her physique and stuffed her physique in two baggage that have been positioned within the entrance trunk of his automotive.”
Hochman additionally stated that the dismembered physique sat within the automotive for months because it decomposed, till it was present in Sept. 2025. Charging paperwork allege that Burke dedicated the crime of “steady sexual abuse” that began on or about Sept. 2023, the month that Rivas turned 13 years previous.
The homicide fees included particular circumstances — mendacity in wait, committing the crime for monetary acquire and murdering the witness in an investigation. The legal criticism additionally included particular circumstances allegations of homicide of a witness, in addition to a particular allegation that Burke personally used a lethal and harmful weapon, a pointy instrument, to commit the crime in April 2025.
Hochman stated the first-degree homicide cost might carry the utmost sentence of life with out the opportunity of parole or the demise penalty.
“The willpower on whether or not or not the district legal professional’s workplace will search the demise penalty shall be made at a later time,” Hochman stated.
Rivas Hernandez Household 
Burke appeared in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom Monday afternoon, the place his attorneys entered a not responsible plea on his behalf.
“We imagine the precise proof will present David Burke didn’t homicide Celeste Rivas Hernandez nor was he the reason for her demise,” an legal professional stated through the listening to. They’ve requested for a preliminary listening to inside 10 days.
CBS LA has reached out to Burke’s attorneys for a remark and is ready for a response.
“The Burkes aren’t stunned however are terribly dissatisfied that the District Lawyer selected to cost David. Nonetheless they assist and stand by him a hundred percent,” stated a press release from Burke’s household, shared by their legal professional.
Hernandez’s stays have been found on Sept. 8, 2025, after police responded to studies of a foul odor attracting flies on the Hollywood Tow yard. Her physique was discovered “severely decomposed” and “dismembered” within the trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke’s title, in accordance with courtroom information.
CBS LA 
Authorities discovered a decomposed head and torso in a cadaver bag inside a Tesla saved on the yard, courtroom paperwork stated. In one other bag contained in the automotive, dismembered physique elements have been discovered.
“The situation of her stays delayed the health worker’s capacity to have the ability to decide her reason behind demise. The substantial period of time that handed between her demise and the invention meant that essential proof had degraded or disappeared,” LA Police Division Chief Jim McDonnell stated.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Division stated Hernandez was reported lacking from Lake Elsinore a 12 months previous to when prosecutors imagine she was killed. A “Lacking Particular person” flyer said she had final been seen on April 5, 2024, after leaving her house at 9 p.m. that day. Hochman stated Hernandez was at Burke’s Hollywood Hills house on April 23, 2025, at “his invitation.” McDonnell stated that Hernandez was in a “sexual relationship” with Burke.
Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Occasions by way of Getty Photos 
He added that all through the 7-month investigation, the division has confronted criticism of how they’ve dealt with the case and for his or her determination to not present particulars.
“I need to be clear about one thing: My responsibility is to not gas hypothesis. It is to ship justice,” McDonnell stated.
Hochman stated his workplace shall be utilizing witness testimony, paperwork and various kinds of admissible testimony of their case.
“In a scenario the place you do not have an eyewitness account … you must undergo a really rigorous and thorough investigation to take a look at all of the digital and forensic proof,” Hochman stated.
Burke was on the “D4vd Withered 2025 World Tour” when the identification of Hernandez was launched. He canceled a Seattle live performance the identical day she was recognized and cancellations of subsequent exhibits adopted.
“To Ms. Rivas’ household, we can not undo the ache that you’re feeling,” McDonnell stated. “Our hope is that as we speak brings some measure of accountability and a step within the journey towards therapeutic.”
Hochman stated anybody who might have any info relating to the case to return ahead. Burke stays jailed with out bail and is due again in courtroom on Thursday.
