Courtroom plea and defense change

Musician David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, entered a plea of not guilty on Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court to charges of murder, child sexual abuse, and the mutilation of human remains. The 21-year-old artist appeared before Judge Charlaine Olmedo for a formal rearraignment following a preliminary ruling in July that ordered him to stand trial. During the proceeding, Burke dismissed his private defense team, which had been led by celebrity attorney Blair Berk alongside lawyers Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter. The court approved the withdrawal and appointed the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office to assume his legal representation.

Burke's new attorney, Deputy Public Defender Walid Kandeel, asked the court to postpone the arraignment to allow time to review hearing transcripts, but Judge Olmedo denied the request and proceeded with the plea.

“We recognize the loss of life underlying the allegations and extend our sympathies to those who are grieving. At the same time, David Burke is entitled to a defense that takes his circumstances seriously and carefully examines the evidence.”

Investigation and criminal charges

Prosecutors allege that Burke killed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez on April 23, 2025, at his Hollywood Hills home. According to evidence presented at previous hearings, Burke entered an abusive sexual relationship with Hernandez when she was 13 years old. Prosecutors stated that Hernandez had threatened to disclose the relationship and damage his recording career, prompting Burke to kill her. Evidence showed text messages from Hernandez sent on April 22, 2025, during an argument regarding Burke's contact with another person.

“This morning, the court granted our request to withdraw as counsel and appoint the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office, after it was determined David qualified for appointed counsel.”

Investigators presented evidence that Burke purchased three chainsaws, a shovel, and a blue inflatable plastic swimming pool under a pseudonym online following the killing. Prosecutors stated the pool was used inside his garage to contain blood while the body was dismembered. Forensic analysis matched DNA recovered from the garage to the victim.

Discovery of remains and legal proceedings

Hernandez was reported missing in April 2025, the same week Burke released his debut studio album under Interscope Records. In September 2025, decomposing remains were discovered inside black plastic bags stored in the front trunk of an abandoned Tesla sedan registered to Burke in Hollywood. Authorities arrested Burke in April 2026.

Following a five-day preliminary hearing in July 2026, Judge Olmedo determined that prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence for the case to proceed on counts of first-degree murder, continuous lewd acts with a child under 14, and mutilation of remains. The murder charge includes special circumstances of lying in wait, financial gain, and killing a witness, which makes Burke eligible for the death penalty. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated that his office has not yet decided whether to seek capital punishment.

Testimony from financial handlers during earlier proceedings indicated that Burke earned at least $10 million from his music between 2023 and 2025, though the Public Defender's Office confirmed he underwent a financial assessment and met the eligibility criteria for court-appointed counsel. The next pretrial hearing is scheduled for October 19, 2026.