Prosecutors allege Celeste Rivas Hernandez was killed to protect a “lucrative career,” with charges including lying in wait, sexual abuse and mutilation

Singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, has been charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances in the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced Monday.

Below is what’s available on the Los Angeles Superior Court Website regarding D4vd’s charges. The DA is alleging that Burke sexually abused Celeste in 2023 when she would have been 11-12 years old. They also allege that her body was dismembered over a week after she was killed. pic.twitter.com/9HWH3OYyl1

— Lauren Conlin (@conlin_lauren) April 20, 2026

Burke, 21, is expected to be arraigned Monday at 1:30 p.m. PST in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

The charges include first-degree murder with special circumstances of lying in wait, murder for financial gain and killing a witness, along with additional counts of continuous sexual acts with a minor under 14, lewd and lascivious acts and mutilation of human remains. If convicted, Burke could face life without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.

“These charges include the most serious charges that a DA’s office can bring,” Hochman said, adding that a decision on whether to seek the death penalty will be made at a later time. Hochman also made a point to add that the DA’s office worked closely with the LAPD, shutting down rumors that there was a potential riff between the to agencies during the investigation.

Prosecutors allege that on April 23, 2025, Rivas Hernandez went to Burke’s home in the Hollywood Hills and was never seen again. Months later, on September 8, her dismembered and decomposed remains were discovered in bags inside the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke, according to the complaint.

Hochman described the case as “a parent’s nightmare,” saying, “a situation where your daughter goes out one night and never comes back.”

Credit: Steinfield Law Firm

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The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office allege Burke killed the teen to protect his “very lucrative musical career” after she threatened to expose their relationship, and that the killing was tied to an underlying investigation into alleged sexual abuse involving the minor.

The investigation, which spanned roughly seven months, was conducted jointly by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division and the district attorney’s office.

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said the case presented significant challenges, including the condition of the remains and the passage of time between the alleged killing and discovery.

Credit: Los Angeles Superior Court

“The substantial amount of time that passed between her death and the discovery meant that crucial evidence had degraded or disappeared,” McDonnell said.

He also addressed criticism of the department’s handling of the case, saying investigators intentionally limited public information to avoid compromising the investigation.

“My duty is not to fuel speculation… it’s to deliver justice,” McDonnell said.

Police said detectives ultimately relied on a combination of digital and forensic evidence to build the case, despite what authorities described as widespread misinformation circulating publicly during the investigation.

Hochman said prosecutors will need to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt using admissible evidence, including witness testimony and documents, if the case proceeds to trial.

The family of Rivas Hernandez, whom Hochman said he met with prior to the announcement, is seeking accountability. The family, however, asks for privacy at this time, through their lawyer Patrick Steinfeld. “The family requests that the media respect their privacy during this difficult time. They expressed concern that some media outlets constantly call their home and knock on their door to get a statement. Please understand this family is still grieving the loss of their daughter. We will inform the media if they change their mind,” Steinfeld said in a statement to Los Angeles.

“What they have demanded … is proof beyond a reasonable doubt on who killed their daughter … and bring that killer to justice,” he said.

Additionally, officials evacuated the Los Angeles courthouse where D4vd is set to be arraigned Monday afternoon after a bomb threat was reported. Law enforcement sources said an anonymous caller contacted 911 just before 11 a.m. regarding the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center. TMZ reported their law enforcement source noted the threat “did not seem credible,” however they treat all threats accordingly.

Burke has not yet entered a plea.