d4vd Arrested and Charged with First-Degree Murder for the Death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez

The New York-born singer was taken into custody in connection to the death of a 14-year old girl.

The 21-year-old potentially faces a life sentence or the death penalty if he's convicted for the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. It's alleged that he killed her to cover up the sexual relationship they had.

d4vd, real name David Anthony Burke, was arrested on Thursday (Apr. 16) for the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

The musician has been charged with murder and other counts relating to Hernandez’s death. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, alongside LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, outlined the charges in a press conference.

“These charges include the most serious charges that a D.A.’s office can bring — that is, first-degree murder with special circumstances," Hochman said. “The special circumstances being: lying in wait, committing this crime for financial gain, or murdering a witness in an investigation.”

The additional charges against Burke, according to the district attorney, include:

• Continuous sexual acts

• Lewd and lascivious sexual acts with an individual under 14-years-old

• Mutilating the human remains of a body

The 21-year-old singer was arrested months after Hernandez was found dismembered in his impounded car. (Photo Courtesy: L.A. County District Attorney's Office)

The 21-year-old singer faces a maximum sentence of the possibility of life in prison without the possibility of parole, or the death penalty, if he’s convicted as charged. During his arraignment on Monday (Apr. 20), he pleaded not guilty to all charges, and he will remain in custody until his next court appearance on Thursday (Apr. 23).

“The 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 singer’s attorneys wrote in a statement. “We will vigorously defend David’s innocence.”

Hochman went to say the musician had a sexual relationship with the underaged girl while he was an adult, killing her to protect his career. 

Since Burke’s arrest, the autopsy report for Hernandez’s death has since been published. The teen had died from “multiple penetrating injuries,” according to the Medical Examiner’s report. The manner of her death has been ruled a homicide. The report noted that Hernandez was only 71 pounds at the time of her death, and she was found dismembered in the front trunk of Burke’s Tesla.

“After several months, I am grateful this information can now be released, not only to the public, but also to the grieving family enduring loss,” Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odey Ukpo said. “It is unfathomable they have had to wait this long to learn what happened to their daughter. The transparency of the information contained in our findings and reports is essential to empowering the community to make informed changes to [effectively] reduce fear and allowing the community to take informed action.”

According to the Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office, two stab wounds were found on Hernandez’s body — one on her right abdomen and another on the left side of her chest. There was also an injury to her liver. They noted that her body was found in an “advanced state of decomposition.” 

d4vd allegedly had a romantic relationship with the underage teen, though that hasn't been confirmed or proven (Photo Courtesy: Celeste Rivas Hernandez's family)

Where her body was dismembered, according to the report, fragments of blue plastic material were found in the cut surfaces. Barry Fisher, the former director of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Crime Lab, said that the plastic fragments possibly came from “a plastic device, a knife or something.”

The report shows that methamphetamine, also known as MDMA, and benzodiazepines were both found in Hernandez’s system. 

When the case goes to the jury, the report will be one of the many pieces the jury will consider. If the jury convicts, the manner in which the victim is killed plays a role in what charges to go with. 

Hernandez’s family was in attendance of Burke’s court appearance on Monday, and they were expected to make a statement to the media afterwards. The press conference was ultimately cancelled, but her parents, Jesus Rivas and Mercedes Martinez, later released a statement via their attorney.

“Every Friday night was movie night and we spent wonderful times together. We love her very much and she always told us that she loved us,” they wrote. “We miss her deeply.”

They also thanked the Los Angeles Police Department and the district attorney’s office for working on the case.