Full Breakdown
Caleb Burke Denies Cover-up Allegations in D4vd Murder Case
5/8/2026, 9:41:11 PM
Core Event: Caleb Burke Refutes Claims of Concealing Brother’s Alleged Crimes
Caleb Burke, younger brother of singer-songwriter David Anthony Burke (stage name D4vd), posted an Instagram Story on Thursday to deny claims that he helped hide or protect his brother in the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. He said he has not lived with D4vd for years, was not close to him, and remains silent because the investigation is ongoing.
Background & Context
Prosecutors say D4vd stabbed Celeste Rivas Hernandez at his Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025; her dismembered body was later found in his Tesla’s trunk. He is detained in Los Angeles without bail and faces first-degree murder with special circumstances, continuous sexual abuse of a minor, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. Caleb, now using the stage name Kova, released “Imaginary Love” two days before D4vd’s arrest and followed with “S*x” later that month. A backstage video from when Caleb was 15 shows him walking with Celeste after she was asked to retrieve an item for a fan, not sneaking her backstage.
Official Statements & Responses
Caleb said he never intended to exploit the case for publicity and that his music projects were planned before renewed media attention. He clarified the backstage video’s context and reiterated his desire for justice for Celeste, noting his limited proximity to his brother.
Criticism & Opposition
Social-media users accuse Caleb of shielding D4vd and using the high-profile case to boost his music career. Critics call the timing of his releases tone-deaf, suggesting they aim to capitalize on the murder investigation’s publicity.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The sources present Caleb’s denials but offer no independent verification of his claims about the backstage video or his relationship with D4vd; no external evidence confirms or refutes the alleged cover-up.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I've seen people say that I knew what was going on and was protecting my brother. This is not true at all,” — Caleb Burke, Instagram Story
- “I have not lived with my brother for years, and was not very close with him.” — Caleb Burke, Instagram Story
- “My intent has never been to use this to bring attention to myself or my music,” — Caleb Burke, Instagram Story
- “I had scheduled my first release under the new name before any of this became a headline again, and the song came out 2 days before the arrest,” — Caleb Burke, Instagram Story
What’s Next
D4vd’s preliminary hearing is set for May 26; subsequent court dates will follow. Caleb’s music releases continue, and he says he will keep his artistic work separate from the legal case.
