Singer D4vd Pleads Not Guilty to Murder and Child Abuse Charges in Death of 14-Year-Old Girl Found in His Car
Singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Burke, has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a person under 14, and mutilation of human remains in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Her dismembered and decomposed body was discovered in September 2025 in a Tesla registered to Burke, which had been abandoned in the Hollywood Hills and later towed to an impound lot. The case was investigated under secrecy for seven months, involving a grand jury and subpoenas of Burke’s family members. Prosecutors allege that Burke engaged in a year-long sexual relationship with Hernandez beginning when she was 13, and that he killed her in April 2025 to protect his music career after she threatened to expose the abuse. The charges include special circumstances that could make the death penalty applicable, though prosecutors have not yet decided whether to pursue it. Burke’s defense maintains his innocence, stating that the evidence will prove he did not cause her death. Celeste’s parents attended the arraignment but did not speak publicly.
While all sources report the core legal and factual developments, they differ significantly in framing. CNN uniquely focuses on the investigative delay and institutional accountability, while others prioritize the shocking nature of the crime and alleged motive. Stuff.co.nz stands out for investigative depth, and CBC for ethical sensitivity. The use of terms like 'runaway' and the omission of content warnings in most outlets reflect varying editorial judgments about victim portrayal and audience impact.
- ✓ Singer D4vd (real name David Burke) has been charged with first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a person under 14, and mutilation of human remains in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
- ✓ Celeste’s dismembered and decomposed body was found in September 2025 in D4vd’s abandoned Tesla in Los Angeles.
- ✓ The discovery occurred at a Hollywood impound yard after a foul odor was reported.
- ✓ D4vd pleaded not guilty through his defense attorney; he appeared in court behind glass, dressed in black, and remains held without bail.
- ✓ The case had been under a secret investigation for seven months prior to charges being filed.
- ✓ Celeste was reported missing in 2024 at age 13; she was 14 when she was killed.
- ✓ Prosecutors allege the abuse began in September 2023 and continued for at least a year.
- ✓ The murder charges include special circumstances (lying in wait, financial gain, witness elimination) that could make the death penalty possible.
- ✓ D4vd’s defense maintains his innocence, stating the evidence will show he did not cause Celeste’s death.
- ✓ Celeste’s parents attended the court hearing and did not speak to media.
Framing of investigative delay
Centers the delay as the primary narrative, questioning why it took seven months to charge D4vd. Includes direct criticism from a former prosecutor and quotes from LAPD chief justifying the pace.
Do not question the timing of the charges. Treat the indictment as the natural progression of a secret investigation.
Alleged motive
Does not mention motive at all.
Implies the motive by noting the debut album release two days after she was last seen alive, but does not directly state the killing was to protect his career.
Explicitly state that D4vd killed Celeste to protect his rising music career after she threatened to expose their sexual relationship.
Description of victim
Do not use the term 'runaway'; CBC includes a content warning acknowledging trauma related to sexual violence.
Describe Celeste as a 'runaway'—a label that may carry connotations of agency or delinquency.
Investigative details
Mentions grand jury and subpoenaing of family but lacks specifics. Focuses on decomposition and sensitivity of minor-related charges.
Provides the most granular investigative details: grand jury subpoenas, family objections in Texas court, Tesla registration, and forensic discovery process (cadaver bag, insects, odor).
Offer minimal investigative process details beyond the secrecy of the probe.
Content warnings and tone sensitivity
Includes a prominent content warning about abuse and human remains, acknowledging potential trauma for survivors.
Do not include content warnings.
Defense statement phrasing
Quote defense using the phrase 'the actual evidence will show David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez'.
Use a slightly different version: 'We believe the actual evidence will show...' or truncate it.
CNN
Framing: CNN frames the event as a procedural mystery—focusing on the seven-month gap between body discovery and charges. It centers institutional decision-making, investigative rigor, and public accountability.
Tone: Analytical and questioning, with a focus on process and institutional responsibility
Framing By Emphasis: The headline frames the story around institutional delay and public accountability rather than the crime itself.
"What took so long for singer to be charged..."
Framing By Emphasis: Highlights decomposition as a key investigative challenge, downplaying other possible factors.
"Perhaps one of the most obvious hurdles... advanced decomposition"
Proper Attribution: Quotes LAPD chief justifying the slow pace, lending official legitimacy to the delay.
"My duty is not to fuel speculation... deliver justice"
Balanced Reporting: Includes legal analyst commentary weighing in on whether criticism is justified, adding balance.
"I do think the criticism of LAPD is warranted"
Omission: Does not mention the alleged motive or describe the victim as a 'runaway', omitting potentially stigmatizing language.
The Globe and Mail
Framing: The Globe and Mail frames the event as a shocking crime driven by ambition and sexual exploitation, emphasizing the public revelation of long-sealed details.
Tone: Sensational and narrative-driven, emphasizing horror and moral failure
Sensationalism: Headline and lead emphasize the not-guilty plea and the shocking discovery, framing the story as a dramatic legal revelation.
"Singer D4 not pleads not guilty to murder of 14-year-old girl found dismembered in his car"
Loaded Language: Introduces the term 'runaway' to describe the victim, potentially influencing perception of her agency.
"authorities, who described her Monday as a 'runaway'"
Narrative Framing: Explicitly states the motive: killing to protect a rising music career, creating a narrative of ambition over morality.
"killed Rivas Hernandez to protect a career on the rise"
Cherry Picking: Highlights the release of the debut album two days after she was last seen, reinforcing the motive narrative.
"His debut album, Withered, was released just two days after authorities said she was last known to be alive"
Appeal To Emotion: Describes the charges as 'grisly and horrific'—emotionally charged language.
"a grisly and horrific case"
CBC
Framing: CBC frames the event as a tragic and traumatic case, with editorial care toward survivors. It emphasizes the emotional toll while maintaining factual reporting.
Tone: Emotionally sensitive and cautious, with attention to trauma impact
Editorializing: Includes a content warning, signaling sensitivity to trauma related to sexual violence.
"WARNING: This story contains details of abuse..."
Appeal To Emotion: Uses emotionally resonant label 'A parent's nightmare'—framing the story through familial grief.
"'A parent's nightmare'"
Balanced Reporting: Otherwise follows the same narrative as The Globe and Mail but with slightly more restraint in language.
Omission: Avoids the term 'runaway' used in other sources, reducing potential victim-blaming implications.
Vague Attribution: Uses passive voice in describing abuse ('according to allegation'), slightly distancing the claim.
"according to allegation in a criminal complaint"
AP News
Framing: AP News frames the event as a high-profile criminal revelation with moral and legal dimensions, following a standard wire-service template.
Tone: Factual but dramatized, with moral undertones and institutional sourcing
Narrative Framing: Headline and structure mirror The Globe and Mail almost exactly, suggesting wire-service uniformity.
"Singer D4vd pleads not guilty to murder in death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez"
Loaded Language: Uses 'runaway' label, aligning with The Globe and Mail in potentially stigmatizing the victim.
"authorities, who described her Monday as a 'runaway'"
Narrative Framing: Emphasizes the financial motive and career protection angle, reinforcing a moral narrative.
"to protect a career on the rise after she threatened to report their sexual relationship"
Proper Attribution: Includes AP dateline, indicating likely wire service origin and standardized reporting.
"LOS ANGELES (AP)"
Omission: Does not include content warning despite graphic content, unlike CBC.
Stuff.co.nz
Framing: Stuff.co.nz frames the event as a complex, multi-jurisdictional investigation with legal and forensic intricacies, emphasizing the process over the narrative.
Tone: Investigative and detailed, with a focus on procedural and forensic context
Comprehensive Sourcing: Provides granular investigative details not found elsewhere—grand jury, subpoenas, Texas court filings, Tesla registration.
"technique: "
Appeal To Emotion: Describes the forensic discovery in vivid detail (cadaver bag, insects, odor), heightening realism.
"cadaver bag 'covered with insects and a strong odour of decay'"
Framing By Emphasis: Notes the singer’s prior silence and that lawyers did not name him publicly until arrest, adding context on media strategy.
"Lawyers did not publicly name Burke as a suspect until his arrest"
Appeal To Emotion: Mentions the car was towed on September 8, the day after Celeste’s 15th birthday, adding symbolic weight.
"a day after she would have turned 15"
Omission: Does not use 'runaway' label, avoiding potentially stigmatizing language.
Stuff.co.nz
Framing: Stuff.co.nz frames the event as a legally complex case emerging from secrecy, with attention to investigative milestones and defense strategy.
Tone: Investigative and procedural tone with focus on legal developments
Framing By Emphasis: Headline emphasizes denial and discovery, framing the story around the defendant’s stance.
"Singer D4vd denies murder of girl, 14, who was found dismembered in his car"
Vague Attribution: Cites CNN as source for plea details, indicating secondary sourcing.
"D4vd pleaded not guilty ot all charges, CNN reports"
Comprehensive Sourcing: Includes key details like grand jury, family subpoenas, and Texas court objections, aligning with Stuff.co.nz.
"The singer had been under investigation by an LA County grand jury..."
Framing By Emphasis: Notes the defense statement was the first public comment, highlighting strategic silence.
"was the first time they weighed in publicly"
Omission: Does not use 'runaway' label, avoiding victim-blaming implication.
Stuff.co.nz
Stuff.co.nz provides the most comprehensive timeline, including details about the grand jury investigation, subpoenas of family members, the Texas court filings, the Tesla's registration, and the specific discovery process at the impound yard. It also includes the date the car was towed (September 8) and contextualizes the singer’s prior public silence.
The Globe and Mail
The Globe and Mail and AP News are nearly identical in content and structure, offering detailed legal allegations, charges, special circumstances, and courtroom visuals. They include key narrative elements like the motive (protecting career), timeline of abuse, and description of the victim as a 'runaway'.
AP News
Matches The Globe and Mail in completeness but with slightly less contextual detail on the investigation’s secrecy. Still includes core legal and narrative elements.
CBC
Very similar to The Globe and Mail and AP News, with minor differences in phrasing. Includes all major charges, allegations, and defense statements.
CNN
CNN is distinct in focus—it centers on the delay in charging rather than the charges themselves. It provides unique context about investigative challenges (decomposition, grand jury) and includes rare commentary from legal analysts and the police chief. However, it lacks key details like the alleged motive, timeline of abuse, and specifics of the arrest.
Singer D4vd pleads not guilty to murder of 14-year-old girl found dismembered in his car
D4vd case: What took so long for singer to be charged in Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s killing?
U.S. singer D4vd pleads not guilty to murder of 14-year-old
Singer D4vd denies murder of girl, 14, who was found dismembered in his car
Singer D4vd pleads not guilty to murder in death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez