Singer d4vd Faces First-Degree Murder Charges in Death of 14-Year-Old Musician David Anthony Burke, known as d4vd, has been charged with first-degree murder and lewd acts following the discovery of a 14-year-old victim in his vehicle. The music industry and the public at large are reeling from the shocking revelation that singer and songwriter d4vd, known legally as David Anthony Burke, has been formally charged with the first-degree murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman addressed the media on Monday morning to outline the gravity of the allegations, which include special circumstances such as lying in wait, murder for financial gain, and the murder of a witness. Beyond the homicide charges, the 21-year-old artist faces severe counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under the age of 14, as well as the mutilation of a human body. These charges represent some of the most profound legal accusations a prosecutor can bring, setting the stage for a high-profile trial that could potentially result in life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or the pursuit of the death penalty by the state. The timeline of this harrowing case began to unfold after authorities discovered the decomposed remains of Hernandez inside a Tesla registered to Burke at a Hollywood tow yard in September 2025. According to investigators, the body had been dismembered and concealed in two separate bags within the vehicle's front trunk, where it remained for months. Prosecutors allege that the relationship between Burke and the victim began in September 2023, when Hernandez turned 13, evolving into a continuous pattern of sexual abuse. The narrative presented by the District Attorney suggests that Burke allegedly murdered the teenager in April 2025 after she threatened to expose their illicit relationship and his criminal history, which threatened to destroy his burgeoning musical career. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell noted that the advanced state of decomposition, caused by the significant time elapsed between the murder and the discovery of the remains, made the medical examiner's forensic work exceptionally difficult, though digital evidence and forensic analysis are expected to form the backbone of the prosecution's case. During his court appearance in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, Burke’s legal team entered a plea of not guilty on all counts, asserting that the evidence will ultimately demonstrate their client did not kill Hernandez nor contribute to her demise. While his attorneys prepare for a preliminary hearing, the defendant’s family has issued a public statement expressing their unwavering support, despite acknowledging their disappointment in the District Attorney's decision to move forward with the charges. Meanwhile, the discovery has cast a dark shadow over Burke’s professional career, which was already in turmoil following the cancellation of his world tour dates after the victim's identity was made public. As the legal proceedings commence, officials are working to balance the transparency required for public interest with the integrity of the ongoing investigation, emphasizing that their primary mission remains the delivery of justice for the young victim and her grieving family, who have been left to process an unimaginable loss