LOS ANGELES — Defense lawyers Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter withdrew from representing Burke in his murder case after the judge found he qualified for a court-appointed lawyer. Deputy Public Defender Walid Kandeel was appointed to represent him following the withdrawal of his private counsel. Judge Olmedo denied a request by Kandeel to delay the arraignment and scheduled a status conference for October 19.

The outgoing attorneys stated in a statement that the judge granted their request to withdraw. "We continue to support David and his defense against these serious charges," the attorneys said. Former defense attorney Marilyn Bednarski stated there was no conflict and that Burke made the decision to change counsel. The Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office stated it completed a thorough financial evaluation and found Burke eligible for representation, despite testimony from his money handlers at a previous hearing that he earned at least $10 million through his music from 2023 through 2025.

"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," Kandeel said in a statement. No trial date has been set for the case against Burke. District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated his office is still deciding whether to pursue the death penalty against Burke.

Celeste Rivas Hernandez was 14 years old at the time of her death. Her dismembered and decomposing body was found in the trunk of Burke's Tesla in the Hollywood Hills in September 2024. Officers found her remains in two cadaver bags in the front trunk of the vehicle.

Workers at Hollywood Tow reported a strong odor coming from Burke's Tesla on September 8, 2025. A worker found Rivas Hernandez's passport off a Santa Barbara County highway. Her remains were identified through dental records and a matching 'shhh' finger tattoo she shared with Burke.

The Los Angeles Police Department served a warrant at Burke's home and found evidence in the garage consistent with dismemberment. The medical examiner's office listed Rivas Hernandez's cause of death as multiple penetrating injuries caused by an object or objects. The murder charges against Burke include special circumstances allegations of lying in wait, murder for financial gain, and murdering a witness. Attorney Patrick Steinfeld, representing the Rivas Hernandez family, stated that Burke is the owner and director of three LLCs, including entertainment, merchandising, and publishing companies.

Prosecutors alleged that Burke sent an Uber for Rivas Hernandez on April 23, 2025, and stabbed her when she entered his house. Detective Corey Farell testified that Rivas Hernandez's death likely occurred within a 21-minute window between text messages on that date. Prosecutors presented evidence that Rivas Hernandez's phone went permanently silent on the night she allegedly entered Burke's house.

Burke's phone and Tesla left his residence around 11:30 p.m. on April 23, 2025. All communication between Burke's phone and Rivas Hernandez's phone stopped after April 26, 2025. Burke was arrested on April 16, 2025, and was on tour in Minneapolis when Rivas Hernandez's body was discovered.

Text messages presented in court showed Rivas Hernandez threatened to end Burke's career and life on April 22, 2025. Text messages recovered from Burke's iCloud account showed Rivas Hernandez discussing pregnancy and abortion with him in January 2024. A notarized child consent form revealed Rivas Hernandez's parents allowed her to visit London with Burke in 2024.

Rivas Hernandez was last seen on April 5, 2024, in Lake Elsinore, California. Prosecutors told a judge that devices belonging to Burke contained a large amount of child pornography.

Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman called Burke a "very clever adult" who groomed and "gaslit" Rivas Hernandez. Defense lawyer Marilyn Bednarski argued that prosecutors failed to establish that Burke killed Rivas Hernandez or planned her death in advance. Former prosecutor Joshua Ritter stated that proving premeditation will likely be the hardest part for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. "I think the biggest challenge for the defense is that we’re at a point where there is no one else so clearly linked to this crime but him," Ritter said.

Why It Matters

The case involves a high-profile indie-pop singer facing capital murder charges with special circumstances that could lead to the death penalty. The prosecution characterizes the defendant as a manipulative adult who groomed the victim, while the defense argues that premeditation has not been proven. The financial eligibility dispute shows the complexity of determining indigency for defendants with significant past earnings.

The investigation relied on digital evidence, including text messages and location data, to establish a timeline of events. The discovery of the victim's remains in the defendant's vehicle and the identification through unique tattoos provided key physical evidence. The case continues to draw attention due to the age of the victim and the nature of the allegations.

Timeline

On June 24, 2016, the State of California sought extraordinary writ relief in State v. Superior Court of Los Angeles County. In January 2024, a notarized child consent form revealed Celeste Rivas Hernandez's parents allowed her to visit London with David Anthony Burke. Celeste Rivas Hernandez was last seen on April 5, 2024, in Lake Elsinore, California.

Prosecutors presented evidence that Rivas Hernandez's phone went permanently silent on the night she allegedly entered Burke's house on April 23, 2024. David Anthony Burke wrote to Celeste Rivas Hernandez, "What the fuck you smoke?" in a text message exchange presented at the hearing in June 2024. Celeste Rivas Hernandez's dismembered and decomposing body was found in the trunk of David Anthony Burke's Tesla in the Hollywood Hills in September 2024.

What's New

Additional reporting indicates that David Burke wrote to Celeste Rivas Hernandez, "What the fuck you smoke?" in a text message exchange presented at the hearing. Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman called David Anthony Burke a "very clever adult" who groomed and "gaslit" Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The official record states that on September 22, 2025, David Anthony Burke entered a not guilty plea to charges of murder, continuous lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains during a Los Angeles County Superior Court hearing.

David Anthony Burke is 21 years old, according to a Los Angeles Times report detailing his background as an indie-pop singer. Officers found Celeste Rivas Hernandez's remains in two cadaver bags in the front trunk of David Anthony Burke's Tesla. Former defense attorney Marilyn Bednarski stated there was no conflict and that David Anthony Burke made the decision to change counsel.

A status conference was scheduled for October 19, set by Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo. A five-day evidentiary hearing in July 2026 established probable cause for David Anthony Burke’s trial, as noted in a BBC article detailing the judicial process.

How Sources Differ

Sources differ on details regarding David Anthony Burke. One source notes that Burke wrote to Celeste Rivas Hernandez, "What the fuck you smoke?" in a text message exchange presented at the hearing, while another cites testimony from financial managers at a preliminary hearing that Burke earned at least $10 million through his music from 2023 through 2025.

Another discrepancy involves Burke's identity and charges. The Los Angeles County Superior Court hearing record states that Singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, entered a not guilty plea to charges of murder, continuous lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains.

Further differences exist regarding evidence. Another source states that prosecutors told a judge that devices belonging to David Anthony Burke contained a significant amount of child pornography.

Finally, sources differ on the timing of the evidentiary hearing. Another source cites testimony from financial managers at a preliminary hearing that David Anthony Burke earned at least $10 million through his music from 2023 through 2025.