The D4vd singer, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, faces serious criminal charges in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. According to Los Angeles County prosecutors, Burke is accused of killing the California teen after she threatened to reveal what they described as an ongoing sexual relationship.
Prosecutors say the relationship began when Celeste was 13 years old. Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him, and his lawyers have denied the accusations. The case remains ongoing, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for July 21, 2026. The latest allegations were highlighted in a report by Dexerto and are based on court filings and Los Angeles County District Attorney statements.
Prosecutors detail the allegations against D4vd in court filings
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney, prosecutors allege that Burke arranged for Celeste to travel to his rented home in the Hollywood Hills on April 23, 2025.
Court documents say she arrived that evening before her alleged murder. Prosecutors allege the motive was to prevent her from exposing their alleged affair, which they say could have damaged Burke’s burgeoning music career.The court filings also describe several actions investigators believe were taken after Celeste’s disappearance. Prosecutors say the evidence includes text messages, Uber logs and other digital information.
They also claim that investigators recovered additional physical evidence during the investigation. The allegations were reported by ABC News, BBC News and other outlets covering the case.Burke did not admit to any wrongdoing. His legal team said the evidence would show he did not commit the crimes and they would continue to defend him in court.
D4vd is pleading not guilty as the criminal case moves towards a hearing in July
Burke has been charged with first-degree murder along with several other crimes.
The prosecution also made allegations of special circumstances that could result in a much harsher sentence if he is convicted. However, these allegations remain unproven, and the court has not reached any findings.The defense pleaded not guilty on Burke’s behalf and challenged the prosecution’s case. The preliminary hearing, currently scheduled for July 21, 2026, is expected to determine whether prosecutors have enough evidence to advance the case to trial.The investigation has drawn national attention because of the allegations, Burke’s public profile, and the age of the alleged victim. However, the criminal case is still making its way through the court system. The allegations made by prosecutors have not been proven in court, and Burke is presumed innocent unless a jury finds him guilty.
