D4vd loses his celebrity legal team, the court has appointed the Los Angeles County Public Defender to represent him in the homicide case. The musician, legal name David Anthony Burke, 21, will now be defended by a public defender as he faces charges in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Investigators found Hernandez’s remains in September 2025 in a Tesla registered to Burke’s address. Burke pleaded not guilty when charges were formally read in Los Angeles court, where he faces counts of first-degree murder, mutilation of human remains and child sexual abuse. Prosecutors say the killing followed years of sexual abuse and that the body was dismembered.
The charge sheet includes special circumstances tied to financial gain, an allegation that could expose Burke to the death penalty. Prosecutors have said Hernandez threatened to reveal his relationship with a minor and to destroy his multi-million dollar music career. Court evidence showed exchanges on 22 April 2025 in which Hernandez made violent threats, and prosecutors say she went to Burke’s Hollywood home the next day in an Uber he had arranged, where she was allegedly stabbed after arriving.
High-profile attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter filed to withdraw and the court granted their request, appointing the county public defender. In a joint statement the lawyers said Burke "qualified for appointed counsel" and added, "We continue to support David and his defense against these serious charges." They thanked the public defender’s office for taking over and said Burke now has a "highly capable and committed team of attorneys and investigators behind him." Berk has previously represented Mel Gibson, Harvey Weinstein, Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan.
Deputy public defender Walid Kandeel said Burke "is entitled to a defense that takes his circumstances seriously and carefully examines the evidence" and pledged the office’s commitment to that task. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for 19 October, as the case moves toward a full trial.
