Singer D4vd, charged with murdering and dismembering teen, dismisses lawyer
The singer now faces public defenders after a judge rejected a delay and entered a not guilty plea in the high-profile murder case.
- On Monday, August 31, 2026, singer David 'D4vd' Burke appeared in Los Angeles Superior Court where his private defense team withdrew and Public Defender Walid Kandeel was appointed to represent him in the murder case.
- Authorities allege Burke killed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez in April 2025 to protect his burgeoning music career after she threatened to expose their sexual relationship. Her dismembered remains were discovered in September 2025 inside a Tesla registered to Burke.
- Financial manager Benjamin Greger testified Burke grossed between $10 million and $11 million from 2023 to 2025, yet the court determined he qualified for appointed counsel after evaluating his current financial circumstances.
- District Attorney Nathan Hochman said his office continues evaluating whether to seek the death penalty, noting that the change in legal counsel will not alter how prosecutors pursue the case.
- A status conference is scheduled for October 19, 2026, where prosecutors plan to present forensic DNA matches and digital records supporting their allegation that Burke premeditated the murder.
114 Articles
114 Articles
The change of lawyers for singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, was announced; the singer returns to another court hearing on October 19
Singer D4vd’s Attorneys Withdraw from Murder Case After He Runs Out of Money
D4vd has been appointed a public defender after his high-profile lawyers withdrew from his murder case after he apparently ran out of money. The 21-year-old singer, real name David Anthony Burke, is charged with killing his underaged girlfriend, Celeste Rivas Hernandez, after allegedly forcing her to get an abortion. Burke’s lawyers, Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski […]
Everything to know about D4vd ahead of singer's murder trial
D4vd was back in court Monday, Aug. 31, where the 21-year-old singer’s new attorney entered not guilty pleas to all three charges in the gruesome murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, surprisingly dropped his high-powered private defense team and turned to a public defender after apparently running out...
D4vd switches legal teams, now represented by public defende
David Burke, known as D4vd, dropped his private defense attorneys and was assigned a public defender after a judge determined he could no longer afford to pay for legal representation, a move highlighting the high cost and mounting stakes in the Celeste Rivas Hernandez murder case. Burke, facing three criminal charges in Los Angeles related […] The post D4vd switches legal teams, now represented by public defender in Los Angeles murder case appe…
UPDATE: D4vd's Legal Team Withdraws From His Case As He Reportedly Taps Public Defender
D4vd‘s legal team has withdrawn from his case as he reportedly taps a public defender for his criminal defense.RELATED: Prosecutors Reveal Alleged Texts Showing D4vd & Celeste Rivas Hernandez Discussed Pregnancy & Abortion Before Her Death (UPDATE)D4vd’s Legal Team Withdraws From His Case As He Reportedly Taps Public DefenderAccording to the New York Post, D4vd appeared [...] The post UPDATE: D4vd’s Legal Team Withdraws From His Case As He Repor…
PBS NewsHour
Spectrum NewsSinger D4vd loses prominent lawyers defending him in killing of 14-year-old
Singer D4vd lost his high-profile private lawyers Monday at a hearing where he entered a new not guilty plea to charges that he killed, sexually abused and dismembered 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
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