Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s family is demanding justice as singer David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, changes course in his murder case and turns to a public defender.
“We, as a family, only want justice for Celeste and for whoever is responsible to face the full force of the law,” the teenager’s family said Monday. “And we thank everyone for supporting our daughter in every way.”
D4vd pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse and body mutilation in connection with Celeste’s April 2025 death.
During a pretrial hearing Monday, the court learned that D4vd was replacing attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Pete with public defender Walid Fouad Kandeel after qualifying as indigent.
That claim is now being challenged by Patrick Steinfeld, an attorney representing Celeste’s family.
In an old stream that just resurfaced… D4vd is with 14 year old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
— (@King_Okhai) April 22, 2026
The stream is quickly ended by him, after she seems to expose him of "rape"
Her: “It’s controversial of you r@ping kids”
Him: “Delete everything… delete everything… everything… pic.twitter.com/r4JGIUEeY5
“David Anthony Burke is the owner and director of three LLCs, including entertainment, merchandising and publishing companies,” Steinfeld told The Hollywood Reporter.
Steinfeld argued that D4vd should use funds from those businesses rather than have taxpayers cover his defense.
Prosecutors allege D4vd began an illegal sexual relationship with Celeste after meeting her when she was 11 and later killed her. Her remains were discovered inside the trunk of a Tesla registered to him.
A judge ruled after a five-day preliminary hearing in July that prosecutors presented enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial.
D4vd’s next court appearance is scheduled for October.