d4vd Enters Not Guilty Plea in Murder Case of Teen

On August 31, 2025, US singer David Anthony Burke, known as d4vd, appeared in court to enter a not guilty plea regarding the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. During the hearing, his private defense lawyers—Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter—officially withdrew from the case after the court approved their request.

Despite stepping down, the legal team expressed continued support for Burke in facing the serious charges. The Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office has now assumed his defense, with Deputy Public Defender Walid Kandeel assigned to the case.

Burke faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains, all related to Hernandez’s death. Her remains were discovered in September 2025 in the trunk of a Tesla associated with Burke’s residence.

Prosecutors allege that Burke killed Hernandez in April 2025 after she threatened to expose their relationship, which began online when she was 11 and became sexual when she was 13.