Singer D4vd could face the death penalty for the murder of a teenage girl last year, the Los Angeles County District Attorney declared today. DA Nathan Hochman said the charges against the 'Romantic Homicide' performer for the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez are 'the most serious charges that a DA’s office can bring, that is first-degree murder with special circumstances.'
Those 'special circumstances' include allegations that D4vd, real name David Anthony Burke, planned to murder Hernandez with specifics of 'lying in wait, murder for financial gain and killing a witness in a criminal investigation.' There is also a 'special allegation' that he used a 'sharp instrument' to commit the crime. Hochman called the alleged killing 'brutal and horrific.'
Hernandez's decomposed and mutilated body was discovered on September 8 in the trunk of a Tesla registered to D4vd, parked near his Hollywood Hills residence. The car had been towed away weeks later, and the remains were identified at a Los Angeles tow yard. D4vd was on tour at the time and was said to be cooperating with authorities.
D4vd was arrested at his Hollywood Hills home on April 16 and remains without bail. The LAPD recovered 'a substantial amount of digital and forensic evidence.' Officials also confirmed that the 21-year-old singer is under investigation for 'lewd and lascivious sexual acts' with an individual under 14 years of age.
The DA stated that D4vd allegedly killed Hernandez 'to maintain his very lucrative musical career that Celeste was threatening.' The last time the teen was seen was in April 2025. A full coroner’s report is expected soon. D4vd’s lawyers have denied the allegations, saying 'the actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez.'
