US musician D4vd has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of a teenage girl who vanished last year, officials say.
The star, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, is accused of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose decomposing remains were found in September in a Tesla registered to his Texas address.
Burke, 21, also was charged with murder for 'financial gain' and with murder of a witness to an investigation, the Los Angeles district attorney said.
In a statement after his arrest last week, his lawyers said 'actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death'.
The Los Angeles County DA's office confirmed that D4vd is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in downtown Los Angeles, and 'cannot comment on grand jury investigations'.
During a press conference, DA Nathan Hochman provided a timeline of the case, stating that on April 23, 2025, Rivas Hernandez went to Burke's house in the Hollywood Hills and 'she was never heard from again'.
Her dismembered remains were discovered on September 8, 2025, in a Tesla registered to Burke. Hochman described the discovery as shocking, emblematic of a parent's worst nightmare.
Burke is charged with multiple crimes, including first-degree murder with special circumstances of 'lying in wait'.
Additional charges state that he allegedly committed the murder for 'financial gain', claiming Rivas Hernandez was a threat to his music career.
The DA indicated that the evidence suggests Rivas Hernandez was a witness to prior alleged sexual acts involving Burke, leading to a charge of murdering a witness.
The case may result in the death penalty, as the DA's office has indicated they are considering this option.
Burke remains in custody without bail after his arrest. He had been gaining popularity as a musician prior to these events, known for moody indie-pop hits.
