D4vd charged with murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez

The family of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez issued their first public statement Tuesday after alt-pop singer D4vd was formally charged with first-degree murder, with prosecutors alleging he killed the teenager to protect his music career.

The case, which drew widespread attention across Southern California including Orange County, ended a seven-month investigation and produced charges that include special circumstances making Burke eligible for the most severe penalties under California law.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced the charges Tuesday against David Anthony Burke — known professionally as D4vd — capping a seven-month investigation into the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. "These charges include the most serious charges that a D.A.'s office can bring — that is, first-degree murder with special circumstances," Hochman said at a press conference, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

Prosecutors allege Burke, then 21, invited Celeste to his Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025, the last day she was known to be alive. He is accused of killing her with a sharp instrument, dismembering her body and leaving her remains in the trunk of a Tesla registered in his name. Her remains were discovered in September 2025.

The alleged motive was career protection: Celeste had threatened to publicly expose a long-term sexual relationship between the two, and prosecutors contend Burke killed her to silence that threat. The murder charge carries special circumstances of lying in wait, committing a crime for financial gain, and killing a witness. Burke also faces counts of continuous sexual acts with a minor and mutilating human remains.

Burke pleaded not guilty to all charges and is being held without bail. His attorneys released a statement after arraignment saying: "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. We will vigorously defend David's innocence."

Celeste's family, in their first public remarks, described her as "a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance" and thanked LAPD and the district attorney's office. "We miss her deeply. All we want is justice for Celeste," the family said, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell addressed the case at a separate news conference. "I want to be clear about something — my duty is not to fuel speculation, it's to deliver justice," McDonnell said. Burke's parents, through their attorney, said they were "terribly disappointed that the District Attorney chose to charge David" but added they "support and stand by him one hundred percent."

D4vd, who had amassed nearly 4 million TikTok followers before his arrest, remains in custody without bail as the case moves toward trial.