D4vd Enters Not Guilty Plea in Murder, Mutilation Case
Singer David Burke faces charges after body discovery in Hollywood; prosecutors cite alleged motive tied to music career.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Carla Rooney
Singer David Burke, known professionally as D4vd, has entered a plea of not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
Prosecutors displayed graphic photos of Rivas Hernandez's dismembered remains, found inside a body bag within Burke's Tesla. iCloud data confirmed Burke's iPhone last connected to the vehicle on July 29, 2025.
The body bag matched one Burke purchased online, alongside chainsaws, an inflatable pool, and a shovel. A blood stain in Burke's garage matched Rivas Hernandez's DNA, directly linking the scene to the victim.
Most purchased items, including two of three chainsaws and the blue pool, were recovered from Burke's garage. Prosecutors state Burke utilized these items to dismember Rivas Hernandez's body after fatally stabbing her.
Hernandez threatened to expose their relationship, a disclosure that would have damaged Burke's burgeoning music career. Court presentations included photos displaying blue fragments on the body, originating from the inflatable pool.
He needed to silence her before she ruined his music career.
Homicide detective Joshua Byers testified Burke placed the orders under the alias Trayvion Davis, but used his own bank cards and directed deliveries to his Hollywood residence. Upon his arrest, Burke bore a 'Celeste' tattoo in red on one finger, and another finger displayed a 'Shhh' tattoo identical to one found on Rivas Hernandez's finger.
A February 2024 body camera video captured Burke telling sheriff's deputies, investigating Rivas Hernandez's disappearance, that he had met her only once and did not know she was a minor. Prosecutors assert Burke maintained a sexual relationship with Rivas Hernandez for several months, commencing in November 2023 when she was 13 and Burke was 18.
Airline tickets were purchased for both Burke and Rivas Hernandez on trips from Los Angeles to Texas and London. Prosecutors state Burke met Hernandez when she was 11, began sexually abusing her when she was 13, and killed her when she threatened to report him.
The relationship included periods where Hernandez was with Burke, including a trip to Texas where she met his family. Burke dispatched a car to collect Hernandez on the night of April 23, 2025, from her hometown of Lake Elsinore, California.
A court filing states Burke stabbed the victim multiple times and observed her bleed out, knowing he needed to silence her before she ruined his music career. The Scott Peterson case saw claims of suppressed evidence by the Modesto Police Department and the Stanislaus County D.A.’s Office.
The Waterbury case also involves a man held captive for over two decades, who accuses the state of hiding child welfare evidence. The IDF's delayed probe into alleged Gaza war crimes also occurred under external pressure influencing investigations.
Legal proceedings unfold against increasing scrutiny on the conduct of young celebrities, particularly concerning relationships with minors and the potential for abuse of power. The music industry, a significant stakeholder, watches closely as the accusations against D4vd could impact his career.
The future implications for Burke's career and public image remain uncertain, regardless of the trial's outcome. The allegations themselves have already generated significant public attention.
He earned between $10 million and $11.5 million from 2023 through 2025. His song 'Romantic Homicide' has accumulated over a billion plays, and he released two EPs in 2023, even opening for SZA on tour.
This marks a rapid ascent in his career. The future implications for Burke's career and public image remain uncertain, regardless of the trial's outcome.
The allegations themselves have already generated significant public attention. Judge Charlaine Olmedo will determine if the prosecution has presented sufficient evidence to proceed to trial; the preliminary hearing is expected to span several days.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman confirmed his office has not yet decided whether to pursue the death penalty in this case.