D4vd pleads not guilty to first-degree murder in 'brutal and horrific' killing of 14-year-old girl
The body of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found in the trunk of a Tesla in a Hollywood tow yard in September.
LOS ANGELES -- The singer D4vd has been charged with murder and other counts in connection with the "brutal and horrific" killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who was found dead in the musician's towed Tesla, prosecutors announced Monday.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman outlined the charges at a morning press conference, where he was accompanied by Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell.
Additional charges against D4vd include "continuous sexual acts, lewd and lascivious sexual acts with an individual under 14 years old, and mutilating the human remains of a body," according to the district attorney.
D4vd appeared in court for his arraignment on Monday afternoon and pleaded not guilty to all charges. He will remain in custody on no bail.
"These charges include the most serious charges that a D.A.'s office can bring -- that is, first-degree murder with special circumstances," Hochman told reporters. He described one of the special circumstances as: D4vd allegedly killing the victim for financial gain, "to maintain his very lucrative musical career that Celeste was threatening."
The alt-pop singer, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, was arrested on Thursday in connection with Celeste's death.
The 21-year-old singer faces a maximum sentence of the possibility of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty if convicted as charged, Hochman said, adding that the determination of whether prosecutors will seek the death penalty will be made at a later time.
"I am a parent of three children," Hochman said. "And a parent's nightmare is a situation where your daughter goes out one night and never comes back."
Celeste's mother, father and sister will attend D4vd's hearing on Monday afternoon, an attorney for the family told ABC7. Afterward, they are expected to make a statement through their attorney at a news conference.
The teen's dismembered body was found in the trunk of a Tesla registered to the singer last fall.
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Sources told ABC News the arrest was based on evidence and probable cause that was developed. Last week, the medical examiner's office ruled the teen's death a homicide.
"The Burkes are not surprised but are terribly disappointed that the District Attorney chose to charge" D4vd, the singer's parents said in a statement provided to ABC7 by their attorney. "Nevertheless, they support and stand by him one hundred percent."
Throughout the seven-month investigation, LAPD has faced criticism for how it has handled the case and for its decision not to provide details, McDonnell noted at Monday's news conference.
"I want to be clear about something -- my duty is not to fuel speculation, it's to deliver justice," the police chief said. "And that requires patience and discipline on everybody's part. This investigation was driven by a single purpose: to secure justice for Celeste Rivas and for those who loved her.
"We had to be certain that nothing we said or did would ever jeopardize this case."
Celeste, a reported runaway from Riverside County, was last known to be alive on April 23, 2025, when she arrived at D4vd's rented home in the Hollywood Hills, according to McDonnell. She was never heard from again, Hochman said.
"During the course of our investigation, detectives learned that she had been involved in a sexual relationship with Mr. Burke when she was a minor and he was an adult," the police chief said.
READ MORE: Who is D4vd? Singer arrested in 14-year-old's death started as video game streamer
In a statement to ABC7, D4vd's attorney said his client is innocent and did not kill Celeste.
"Let us be clear - the actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death," the statement read. "There has been no indictment returned by any grand jury in this case and no criminal complaint filed. David has only been detained under suspicion. We will vigorously defend David's innocence."
