Full Breakdown
D4vd Switches to Public Defender Amid Murder Case
9/1/2026, 9:40:07 PM
Core Event: Attorney Change and New Not-Guilty Plea
On August 31 2026, David Anthony Burke—known as singer D4vd—asked the Los Angeles County Superior Court to replace his private counsel with a public defender. His former team withdrew after the judge determined Burke qualified for appointed counsel. The court entered a formal not-guilty plea on his behalf and set a status conference for October.
Background & Context
Prosecutors allege Burke stabbed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez to death at his Hollywood Hills home on April 23 2025. Her dismembered remains were found in the trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke in September 2025. Burke was charged on April 20 2026 with first-degree murder, three special-circumstance enhancements, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains. A five-day preliminary hearing in July 2026 resulted in Judge Charlaine Olmedo finding sufficient evidence to send the case to trial.
Data & Statistics
- Reported earnings from Burke’s music career between 2023 and 2025 total at least $10 million.
- The indictment includes four criminal counts.
- The special-circumstance allegations could expose Burke to life without parole or, if sought, the death penalty.
Official Statements & Responses
- “It appears to me, for the purposes of preliminary hearing, the people have met their burden of proof on all charges,” — Charlaine Olmedo
- Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman: “We have an underage minor who was threatening to expose this relationship.”
- Nathan Hochman, district attorney: “The district attorney’s office is ready to proceed to prove all three charges beyond a reasonable doubt, leading, eventually, to a sentence of life without the possibility of parole, or if we so choose, the death penalty.”
- Walid Kandeel, new attorney: “We recognize the loss of life underlying the allegations and extend our sympathies to those who are grieving. At the same time, David Burke is entitled to a defense that takes his circumstances seriously and carefully examines the evidence. We are committed to providing him with that defense.”
Criticism & Opposition
Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s family has publicly questioned Burke’s eligibility for a court-appointed defender.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Financial qualification: The public defender’s office confirmed a “thorough financial evaluation” found Burke eligible for appointed counsel, yet the family and some news reports highlight uncertainty about how a multimillion-dollar artist qualifies for a public defender.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We recognize the loss of life underlying the allegations and extend our sympathies to those who are grieving. At the same time, David Burke is entitled to a defense that takes his circumstances seriously and carefully examines the evidence. We are committed to providing him with that defense,” — Walid Kandeel
- “We have an underage minor who was threatening to expose this relationship,” — Beth Silverman
What’s Next
The court has scheduled a status conference for October. Prosecutors have indicated that a trial could commence within weeks after that hearing, though no specific trial date has been set.
