D4vd has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez in an alleged plot to shield his burgeoning music career after she threatened to expose their underage sexual relationship. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman revealed the charges on Monday (April 20), four days after the 21-year-old “Romantic Homicide” singer (David Anthony Burke) was arrested. Hochman said the “brutal and horrific murder” occurred on April 23, 2025 — just two days before the release of D4vd’s debut album, Withered, which opened at No. 13 on the Billboard 200.

Related Everything We Know About D4vd, From the Body Found in His Car to His Career Tory Lanez Sues California Prison System for $100M Over Stabbing by Inmate D4vd Arrested for Alleged Murder of Celeste Rivas, Months After Body Found in Singer's Car “Celeste, a 14-year-old at that time, went to Mr. Burke’s house in the Hollywood Hills,” said Hochman during a press conference. “She was never heard from again.” Hochman’s office alleged in a press release that D4vd killed Rivas with a “sharp instrument.” Prosecutors also laid out what they believe to be the motive: They claim Rivas was threatening to reveal how D4vd, who was 20 years old at the time, had illegally engaged in sex acts with her as a minor.

“When she threatened to expose his criminal conduct and devastate his musical career, Burke allegedly murdered her, cut up her body and stuffed her body in two bags that were placed in the front trunk of his car,” said Hochman in the press release. “This horrific and gruesome murder committed by the charged sexual predator is shocking and appalling. To Celeste’s loved ones, we will get the justice you seek and deserve.” The decomposed, partial remains of Rivas, a reported runaway from Lake Elsinore, Calif., were found in the front trunk of an impounded Tesla registered to D4vd in September.

After police responded to reports of a “foul odor” coming from the car in a Hollywood tow lot, they discovered two black bags containing severed, decomposed body parts that were later identified as Rivas — including a head, torso and limbs. In addition to first-degree murder, D4vd is charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child under age 14 and mutilating a body. His murder charge also has a “special circumstances” enhancement, which makes the maximum sentence death or life in prison without parole.

Hochman said his office has not yet determined whether to seek the death penalty. Related D4vd No Longer Has Key Music Business Partnerships Amid Murder Arrest D4vd’s lawyers did not immediately return a request for comment on the charges. Defense attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter said after his arrest last week that they “will vigorously defend David’s innocence.” “Let us be clear — 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,” added D4vd’s lawyers in their initial statement.

D4vd is currently in custody without bail. He is scheduled for an arraignment later on Monday. D4vd’s career took off in 2022 after his first single, “Romantic Homicide,” went viral on TikTok and eventually hit No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100.

He released Withered after two EPs and an opening slot on SZA’s blockbuster SOS tour in 2023. He had been in the midst of a headlining tour when Rivas’ body was discovered in his car. The tour was cut short, and a deluxe version of Withered was shelved. He’s since been dropped by Darkroom/Interscope Records, Sony Music Publishing and The·Team (formerly Wasserman).