Rapper d4vd Faces Court, Pleads Not Guilty in Celeste Rivas Case

Rapper d4vd appeared in court Monday and pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including murder, in a case involving a 14-year-old girl whose remains were discovered last year. Prosecutors outlined allegations as the investigation moves into a more public phase.

Singer d4vd, whose legal name is David Burke, entered a not guilty plea Monday in connection with the death of a 14-year-old girl, marking a major development in a case that has drawn increasing attention in recent months.

Burke, 21, faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a person under 14, and mutilating a body, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. He made his first court appearance behind glass in a custody area, dressed in black, as a judge ordered that he remain held without bail.

Details Emerge After Months of Investigation

The case centers on the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose dismembered and decomposed body was discovered nearly a year after she was last known to be alive. Authorities found her remains in what was described as Burke’s apparently abandoned Tesla.

The investigation had largely remained out of public view for several months. The charges filed and Burke’s court appearance represent some of the first detailed disclosures about the case since Rivas Hernandez was found.

Her parents attended the hearing but did not address reporters. They entered the courtroom quietly and remained seated in the audience throughout the proceedings.

Prosecutors Outline Allegations

According to authorities, Rivas Hernandez was reported missing in 2024 when she was 13. Prosecutors allege that Burke engaged in continuous sexual abuse of the girl for at least a year, from September 2023 to September 2024.

Officials stated that she was 14 when she was killed with a sharp object on or around April 23, 2025, a day she was at Burke’s home in the Hollywood Hills. Prosecutors further allege that Burke mutilated her body approximately two weeks after her death.

Authorities described Rivas Hernandez as a “runaway” during Monday’s proceedings.

Motive Tied to Career Concerns

Prosecutors claim Burke killed the teenager to protect his career, which was gaining momentum at the time. His debut album, "Withered," was released just two days after authorities said Rivas Hernandez was last seen alive.

According to the allegations, she had threatened to report their sexual relationship, which investigators say prompted the killing. The charges include special circumstances such as lying in wait, committing a crime for financial gain, and murdering a witness.

The witness referenced in the charges is Rivas Hernandez herself, who prosecutors say could have provided testimony related to the alleged abuse.

Defense Pushes Back

Burke’s legal team strongly denied the allegations during the hearing. Lead defense attorney Blair Berk addressed the court, stating, “We believe the actual evidence will show David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez. We would like to have the evidence come into the light of day.”

Berk also requested a public preliminary hearing, noting that much of the investigation had taken place through secret grand jury proceedings. She said the defense wants a judge to evaluate whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.

Under California law, Burke is entitled to an evidentiary hearing within 10 court days of his arraignment. Unlike many defendants, he did not waive that right. A hearing to determine next steps was scheduled for Thursday.

Prosecutors Signal Readiness

Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman, the lead prosecutor, indicated that the state is prepared to present its case. “We’ll be very happy to put on the evidence that we’ve collected,” she said.

While the charges carry the possibility of the death penalty due to the special circumstances, prosecutors have not yet announced whether they will pursue that option.

A Case With Serious Legal Stakes

The allegations against Burke involve multiple serious charges, including crimes related to sexual abuse of a minor under 14, which California law treats with heightened severity. The addition of murder and mutilation charges further raises the stakes as the case moves forward.

The combination of accusations and the public profile of the defendant has brought heightened scrutiny to the proceedings, which are expected to continue unfolding in the coming weeks.

As d4vd faces the legal process, Monday’s court appearance marks a turning point in a case that had remained largely out of public view.

With both prosecution and defense preparing to present evidence, the upcoming hearings will play a critical role in determining how the case proceeds. For now, Burke remains in custody, maintaining his innocence as the investigation enters a more visible phase.