Singer D4vd pleads not guilty in murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas

Musician David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, has pleaded not guilty to murder and child sex abuse charges in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas, whose decomposed and dismembered remains were found last year in the front trunk of a car registered to him.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced the charges Monday and said Burke, 21, is accused of killing Celeste Rivas after inviting her to his Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025. Prosecutors allege she was never seen or heard from again after arriving there.

Her remains were found on September 8, 2025, in two bags inside the front trunk of Burke’s Tesla after the vehicle had been impounded and reported abandoned, according to prosecutors. Hochman said the body had remained there for more than four months before it was discovered at a tow yard.

Burke was charged with one count each of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains. Prosecutors also filed special circumstance allegations of lying in wait, murder for financial gain and murder of a witness, along with an allegation that Burke used a sharp instrument in the killing.

Hochman said the first-degree murder charge and special circumstance allegations make Burke eligible for life in prison without parole or the death penalty if he is convicted. He said a decision on whether prosecutors will seek the death penalty will be made later.

According to Hochman, prosecutors allege Burke killed Celeste after she threatened to expose sexual abuse that he said had taken place while she was under 14, and that the killing was carried out to protect Burke’s “very lucrative musical career.”

Prosecutors also allege Celeste was killed because she was a witness in an investigation tied to the sexual abuse charge.

Burke pleaded not guilty later Monday at his arraignment.

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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief

Ella Greene

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