D4vd Charged with Murder | "Case by Case" | "48 Hours" Podcast | Forensic Files

We're going to start things off with a trigger warning. Now, some of the reporting is disturbing that you're
going to be listening to, but please watch and listen with care. >> Today, I am announcing the charges
against David Anthony Burke, the musician known as David, spelled D4V D, in connection with the brutal and
horrific murder of Celeste, a 14-year-old at that time. >> That was Los Angeles County District
Attorney Nathan Hochman announcing the charges against 21-year-old singer-songwriter David Anthony Burke.
He goes by the stage name David for the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Riveras Hernandez. The District Attorney calls
this case a parent's nightmare and says there is significant physical, forensic,
and digital evidence tying David to the crime. David Burke has pleaded not guilty to
all of the charges. He has denied any wrongdoing. His legal team released a statement, and this is what they said.
"Let us be clear. The actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did
not murder Celeste Riveras Hernandez, and he was not the cause of her death." I'm 48 Hours correspondent Natalie
Morales, and this is Case by Case, where each week the team here from 48 Hours, we bring you the biggest stories in true
crime in real time. And with me now to discuss the latest legal details in the charges against
David Burke is CBS Chief Correspondent Matt Gutman, who's been covering this case from when it first broke back in
September. Good to see you again, Matt. >> Hey, good to be with you again, Natalie.
>> So, Matt, give us the play-by-play here legally. Where is this case right now?
>> I mean, when we're talking about play-by-play, it's literally playing out right now. As we are recording this,
we're in the midst of a preliminary hearing, and so what does that actually mean? Okay, so
a judge needs to determine whether there is enough evidence against David to move
forward with the case. And here's the basic crux of the charges. First-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a
child under the age of 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. Now, the medical examiner just released
or we should say was allowed to release a report determining that this was a homicide, specifically noting that
Celeste died by multiple penetrating injuries caused by an object. It's believed that it was some sort of a
sharp object. At David's arraignment, which happened on Monday, his defense team asked for this hearing to take
place as soon as possible, despite the fact that the prosecution says that it had 40 terabytes of discovery to give
them. That's where we are right now. >> 40 terabytes of discovery, that tells me
that they've been working on this case for quite a while, and they have a lot of information. So, the investigation
into David, though, it really started with the discovery of Celeste, her decomposing body in his Tesla, in the
front trunk. And it's so horrific, it is so graphic. It's very disturbing. I mean, is it believed then that Celeste
ran away from her family to go meet him and to go live with him? >> So, Celeste's family reported her as
missing in April of 2024. This hadn't been the first time in the past she disappeared, but she'd returned
home. Um but a year passes since Celeste's family filed their last missing person's report.
And in September 2025, employees in a tow yard, they noticed this really foul smell, and
eventually they found a car, and inside was a severely decomposed and dismembered body.
And it was later identified as Celeste. I I sitting in the bureau watching this unfold because there were helicopters
over it watching the work that they were doing. We weren't quite sure what was going on.
But something was clearly found in this Tesla in this tow yard. And lots of people in LA were seeing it
unfold live. >> It's just so awful. I mean hearing that and and you know, thinking about what
her parents, you know, how they were told and hearing all of these details about how their daughter was found. The
question I have though, I mean this car found in this Hollywood tow lot. Um of course it's registered to David.
It's going to lead right back to him. He has denied any wrongdoing, but you know,
why did it take now more than 7 months to get to this point where they charge him now?
>> It was pretty quick that we learned that it was his car. Um so his name was out there early on.
But again, the manner of death took a while to get to. And I think for most intense purposes the DA's
office was keeping their cards very close to the vest. They were probably trying to protect witnesses, trying to
protect evidence that might have come out. And this is a high-profile case. We're talking about
a musician who is exploding online, who's doing a a national tour, going abroad, very very popular. Uh and they
were trying to do all they could to protect their case. >> I'm sure that they were building in that
time as much evidence as they could to make this arrest, right? >> You know, this this this is something
that I think the press has asked for from the very start. We were curious about the manner of death and typically
the medical examiner's report will be released. It wasn't in this case. In fact, the
LAPD initiated a a court order preventing the medical examiner from releasing its findings.
Um and you know, I I just want to read to you this quote from the press release from the chief medical examiner because
clearly there was very significant tension between the medical examiner, the LAPD, and the DA. So, this is what
they wrote, quote, "It is unfathomable that they've had to wait the family had to wait this long to
learn what happened to their daughter. The transparency of the information contained in our findings and reports is
essential for empowering the community to make informed changes to actively reduce fear and allowing the community
to take informed action. This is the public's right to know, and the medical examiner, in an extraordinary, I mean,
I've never seen something like this, report, actually points a finger at the LAPD for not allowing this information
to come out. So, the information in that report says basically two penetrating wounds of
the torso and a wound to the upper abdomen. Obviously, of course, Celeste's body was mutilated.
>> Oh, gosh. And And again, I go back to what Celeste's family was was feeling and hearing all of this information.
They, in fact, have since now spoken and have shared that these findings have caused them profound emotional pain, as
you would expect. >> It has. And, you know, during the arraignment on Monday, they were in
attendance, but uh they've said that they're not going to be there at the preliminary hearing. It
It It's just too painful for them, I think. >> Yeah, I can only imagine. >> [music]
>> Let's talk about the popularity of of David as a musician. I mean, as you alluded to, he was very successful. Just
21 years old, and, you know, I mean, the the number of hits and uh streaming views and listeners, it's I mean, this
guy's career was on the rise when this happened. >> Um clearly a very, very talented young
individual and he gained a lot of attention online as a teenager by posting montages of himself playing
Fortnite. Um, he claims he got into creating original music as a way to avoid copyright claims when
soundtracking his montages, which is very very interesting and indicative of this young man's talent.
>> Yeah, and and just looking at all of his accolades, you know, his on Spotify, I
mean, he's released two EPs, >> Yeah. >> several several singles, a full album from 2021 to 2025. I mean, he's had a
billions of streams at this point. Um, and 3.6 million followers on Tik Tok. He worked with Fortnite to produce their
official 2025 anthem Locked and Loaded. You know, just going through his music and some of the videos that he's
released, um, the one that caught my attention and a lot of people's as well, especially now in hindsight, is Romantic
Homicide, you know, terrible title given the circumstances. The video shows him though as a character. He has I read one
of his interviews. He He says he was inspired by anime. This was sort of a character of his. It was his
inspiration, and it's his alter ego. And you see in that video this character holding a bloody knife. There was a
young woman. I mean, it's jarring seeing some of that now. >> I mean, obviously David is presumed
innocent until proven guilty, but it's not a great look. >> Yeah. >> It you know, it's not a great look,
especially since he also produced a song called Celeste, uh, and the combination
of these two things certainly has raised a a lot of scrutiny. >> You know, it sounds like this
relationship though was pretty well known. It was documented, uh, and and people in Celeste's life apparently knew
about it. They even had, you know, unfortunately when they discovered in the autopsy, you know, this tattoo that
says shh, and they both had these tattoos. Hers on her index finger on her right index finger. So,
it seems like, you know, they were together and people knew about it. >> You know, her family was aware that she
knew David. Celeste's brother told um NBC LA that when she disappeared, she was on her way to see a movie with David
and court documents say that she lived with David in Los Angeles. Now, at this point, prosecutors allege that the
sexual abuse began in 2023 when she had just turned 13 13. >> I and I think a lot of people at home
probably asking themselves, so why now? I mean, she was reported missing multiple times.
She's a minor. He is a legal adult. So, her sexual abuse, according to the DA, I
mean, was that being investigated that far back while she was still alive? >> I think at this point, Natalie, we could
say pretty much categorically that no, there is no indication that her specific case was
being investigated at the time. But, the LAPD says that they only learned that there was a sexual relationship after
the death investigation was underway. >> Mhm. So, this brings us now to to the arrest.
>> Yeah, April 16th, you know, LAPD flooded the streets of Hollywood Hills. Um this is LA's
prized and highly regarded robbery homicide division and they moved in to execute the case and they've been on
case pretty much from the start. And um the DA reminds us that this investigation is still ongoing. Um but
the DA so far has expressed confidence that they will be able to prove the charges
and that their evidence will hold up in court. >> Yeah, let let's talk a little bit about
these charges because in a case that is so heinous, there are special circumstances attached to this
first-degree murder charge. For our listeners not familiar with that as a legal term, explain what that means.
>> These special circumstances in the case elevate a first-degree murder charge to
a higher level of severity, meaning if convicted, David could either spend the rest of his life in prison without
the possibility of parole or if the DA so chooses, they can go for the death penalty.
>> Mhm. >> Obviously very hard in California to do. And the DA said that at some point in
the near future, they will decide about that death penalty. >> And and let's break down what these
special circumstances are. >> Okay. So, the the special circumstances here, there are three of them. And I'm just
going to read, you know, there's murder of a witness, that's one. Murder for financial gain, two. And lying in wait,
and >> Mhm. >> the murder for financial gain and witness, these two go hand in hand.
Basically, the state is trying to claim that Celeste was killed in order to prevent her from speaking about her
sexual relationship. Let's take a listen to Hackman here. >> As the evidence will show in court, the
financial gain was for Mr. Beard to maintain his very lucrative music musical career
that Celeste was threatening on that particular night. >> So, interesting. He's releasing some
detail here. The DA mentioning that Celeste was threatening to ruin David's career on that particular night. Is
there evidence then that she was able to speak up to police or or to go public in some way about the nature of
their relationship? >> You you know, we just don't know at this point, Natalie. Um that's what DA
Hackman seems to be [music] implying. >> As for the lying in wait charge, I know
you asked District Attorney Hackman about that. Let's play a clip. >> The essence of a lying in wait special
circumstance that we've um charged in conne- in connection with the first-degree murder charge uh is that he
invited Celeste to his Hollywood Hills home on or about April 23rd of 2025. Uh and he invited her ultimately
with the idea that he was going to murder her. >> You're saying it was premeditated that
he knew he was going to murder her on that day and that you have evidence to prove that.
>> Yes, we will prove beyond a reasonable doubt in a courtroom that the first-degree murder charge which
requires premeditation in order for us to meet the elements of that charge that occurred on the night
in which the individual known as David murdered Celeste. >> So in a case like this, prosecutors
typically don't move until they believe that they have proof beyond a reasonable
doubt and a clear timeline. Obviously, DA Hackman believes that they have reached that bar
uh but we haven't seen it yet. Neither has the public. >> Um this leads us to David's preliminary
hearing. It's actually happening right now as we speak. Can you give us a little bit of the behind-the-scenes look
at what's happening there? >> You know, I've been speaking to legal analysts about this and what they're
saying is that the defense right now is essentially calling the prosecutors bluff.
We heard early in the week the defense wanted this hearing to happen as soon as possible fully knowing that the
prosecution probably wasn't going to be able to have everything that it wanted to prepare. So
they are playing a I guess a form of legal chicken here. Now, the defense says that there is not evidence against
David for these charges. They have been adamant he did not commit murder. He is not involved in her death. What they
want is for him to be released on bail. So far the judge denied bail. Prosecution warned they have 40
terabytes of evidence and this is kind of a warning in some ways, too, because that's saying, "Oh,
you guys want evidence? We got evidence." >> The prosecution also revealed that David's iPhone apparently contained a
significant amount of child pornography. The defense is, meanwhile, asked the judge to move the hearing now to next
week, which, you know, it appears the judge agreed to that as well. So, it seems the there's been a continuation in
this preliminary hearing. And Celeste's family, where are they in all of this? >> I mean, obviously broken.
Um you know, seeing their faces is obviously very hard. Um their lawyers made it clear that they
are very private. I think many, many media outlets have tried to reach out to them.
Um and her parents released the first statement since the arrest earlier this week, and
uh I'll read a portion of it. Um it says, "Celeste was a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance. Every
Friday night was movie night, and we spent wonderful times together. We love her very much, and she always
told us that she loved us. We miss her deeply. All we want is justice for Celeste."
>> It's it's just such a tragic case and and story, but it is this family's life
now. Um again, David is denying any wrongdoing, but um this is going to be uh clearly something
that will parents listening to, watching will be wanting to hear more about how this all could happen.
>> It it's just beyond imagination. Um so, yeah. Uh this is a very dark case, and it's
probably going to take some time to play out, and it will be in the headlines from now until I assume long after this
case is is completely wrapped up. >> We are, of course, going to continue to follow this developing story. As new
information is being released, we'll bring it to you. And again, Matt, thank you for being uh you know, the person
there [music] on the doing all the work for us here and and making it easier. >> Yeah, thanks for having me again.
>> We will be back next week with another episode of Case [music] by Case. Be sure
to rate and review and let us know which cases you are following. >> [music]

Following the discovery of Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s remains in a vehicle registered to D4vd last fall, what were the key developments that led to charges this week? On this episode of “Case by Case,” we examine all of the new details coming out of the case against singer-songwriter David Anthony Burke, who professionally goes by D4vd. “48 Hours” correspondent Natalie Morales and CBS News chief correspondent Matt Gutman break down what we know so far about Celeste’s death and the alleged abusive relationship she had with the singer.

The cases everyone's talking about, explained as they happen. "Case by Case" is a weekly update on the biggest criminal stories unfolding now. New episodes every Friday, available wherever you watch or listen to podcasts. You can also get ad-free access to 48 Hours podcasts by subscribing to 48 Hours+ at 48HoursPodcasts.com.

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Brief Summary

Musician David Anthony Burke faces murder charges in the case of 14-year-old Celeste Riveras Hernandez, with significant evidence presented against him.

Key points

Charges Announced Against David Burke. District Attorney Nathan Hochman announces charges against musician David Burke for the murder of 14-year-old Celeste.
Disturbing Evidence Revealed. Evidence suggests Celeste died from multiple penetrating injuries, raising the stakes in the case.
Family's Heartbreaking Statement. Celeste's family expresses their profound emotional pain and desire for justice.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

Let us be clear. The actual evidence in this case will show...

Defense statement regarding David Burke's innocence.

1:06WatchApr 24, 2026

Tension

80/ 100High tension

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