US musician D4vd has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder over the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were discovered months after she went missing.
According to BBC on Tuesday, the 21-year-old singer, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, is also facing additional charges, including murder for financial gain and the alleged killing of a witness tied to an investigation.
Burke did not speak during his arraignment in a Los Angeles court on Monday, as his lawyers entered the plea on his behalf.
His defence team insisted that “the actual evidence will show that David did not kill Celeste,” adding, “we will vigorously defend David’s innocence.”
Prosecutors alleged that the teenager visited Burke’s Hollywood Hills residence on April 23, 2025, and “she was never heard from again,” according to Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman.
Her decomposed remains were later discovered on September 8 in the front trunk of a Tesla linked to the singer, marking a major breakthrough in the case.
Hochman described the incident as tragic, saying, “a parent’s nightmare is a situation where your daughter goes out one night and never comes back,” while outlining charges that include special circumstances such as lying in wait, financial motive and silencing a potential witness.
The victim’s family, in a statement, said they were “committed to ensuring that Celeste’s voice is heard and her memory is honoured throughout this process.”
Police also defended the pace of the investigation, with Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell stating, “My duty is not to fuel speculation. It’s to deliver justice,” adding that investigators had to ensure nothing would “jeopardise this case.”
Burke remains in custody without bail, as prosecutors say the case could potentially attract the death penalty if he is convicted.
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