The singer D4vd pleaded not guilty after being charged with the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, The Associated Press reports.
The singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, appeared at a Los Angeles court room Monday afternoon, April 20, after the District Attorney’s Office formally charged him. Along with the murder charge, Burke pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual abuse with a child under of the age of 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains. At the end of the hearing, the judge ordered Burke to be held without bail.
Burke’s attorney, Blair Berk, entered the pleas on the singer’s behalf and reiterated his claim of innocence. “We believe the actual evidence will show David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez,” she said. “We would like to have the evidence come into the light of day.”
Berk also requested that a preliminary evidentiary hearing as soon as possible. Lead prosecutor, Beth Silverman, welcomed the hearing, saying, “We’ll be very happy to put on the evidence that we’ve collected.”
In announcing the charges against Burke, L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman noted the criminal complaint includes special circumstance allegations tied to the murder charge. These included the murder of a witness, murder for financial gain, and lying in wait. Hochman revealed that, prior to her death, Rivas was a witness in an investigation into Burke for “lewd and lascivious sexual acts” with a person under 14.
If convicted as charged, Burke could face life in prison without parole. The death penalty is also on the table, but the DA’s office said a decision on whether to seek it will be made at a later date.
Burke was charged seven months after Rivas’ dismembered and decomposing body was found in the front trunk of an impounded Tesla that belonged to the singer. After Rivas was identified, it was revealed that she’d been reported missing by her family in 2024.
While officials remained tight-lipped during the lengthy investigation, internet sleuths and tabloids uncovered what appeared to be various connections between Burke and Rivas. These included photos of Burke in Lake Elsinore, California, near where Rivas lived before her disappearance; and a photo of Burke that appeared to show him with a “Shhh…” tattoo on his finger similar to one Rivas had.
Following his arrest last week, lawyers for Burke issued a statement denying he was a killer. “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,” lawyers Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter said in the statement at the time, adding, “We will vigorously defend David’s innocence.”
