What has D4vd said about the murder allegations now

D4vd, the alt-pop singer whose rise came through TikTok virality and a Fortnite anthem, now sits in a Los Angeles courtroom facing first-degree murder charges. The case centers on the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were discovered in the trunk of his Tesla in September 2025. Prosecutors say the relationship between the two ended in homicide after the girl threatened exposure. The question driving recent headlines is what D4vd himself has said about those allegations.

Attorney statements set the record

Defense attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter released a joint statement in April 2026. They declared that evidence would prove David Burke did not commit murder. The lawyers also pledged a vigorous defense of his innocence. No direct quote from Burke appeared in the filing or the press conference that followed.

The same statement addressed the broader narrative that emerged after the body was found. Counsel emphasized that any relationship claims would be contested at trial. They did not elaborate on motive allegations or financial-gain specifications listed in the charging documents.

Reporters at the courthouse noted the absence of any personal remarks from the singer. Burke entered a not-guilty plea on April 20 and remained silent through the hearing. All public positioning has come through counsel since his April 16 arrest.

Pre-arrest cooperation claim

Before charges were filed, a spokesperson told NBC News that D4vd had been informed of developments while still on tour. The statement said he was cooperating with authorities. No follow-up comments from the same representative surfaced after the arrest.

The timing mattered because investigators had already obtained phone records and social-media exchanges between Burke and Hernandez. Prosecutors later alleged those messages showed efforts to conceal the relationship. The pre-arrest remark now sits in court filings as part of the timeline rather than an ongoing narrative.

Industry observers noted that the cooperation language mirrored standard crisis-management phrasing used in other celebrity cases. Once the arrest occurred, the messaging shifted entirely to courtroom statements from counsel.

Public defender switch changes optics

Burke recently replaced his initial legal team with a public defender. Reports cited an indigence claim, though prosecutors contested the filing. The change drew attention because earlier counsel had handled high-profile clients and maintained a visible media presence.

The new representation has issued no additional statements beyond routine scheduling notices. Observers say the lower profile may reflect both financial constraints and a strategic decision to limit public commentary ahead of trial.

Legal analysts point out that indigent-defense switches are common in long-running cases once private funds run out. The move does not alter the not-guilty plea or the defense’s core position outlined in the April statement.

Preliminary hearing outcome

In July 2026 a judge ruled that prosecutors had presented enough evidence to proceed to trial. The decision cleared the way for formal proceedings on charges that include murder with special circumstances, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains.

Defense counsel did not contest the sufficiency finding at the hearing. Instead they reserved arguments for trial. The ruling means the case will move forward without any public retraction or softening of the April innocence claim.

Courtroom spectators noted that the defense team focused on procedural objections rather than substantive rebuttal during the hearing. That approach leaves open the possibility of new statements once discovery materials are fully exchanged.

Family of the victim responds

Relatives of Celeste Rivas Hernandez issued statements after the preliminary hearing. They expressed support for the death penalty, though California maintains a moratorium on executions. The comments underscored the family’s view that justice requires the maximum available sentence.

These remarks circulated widely on social media, where users contrasted the family’s position with the defense’s earlier denial. No direct reply from Burke’s side has addressed the family’s statements.

Local coverage noted that victim-impact statements will likely feature again at sentencing if a conviction occurs. For now they serve as a reminder that the case carries emotional weight beyond legal filings.

Social media conversation trends

Online discussion has centered on the lack of personal statements from D4vd. Fans and critics alike have speculated about whether silence reflects legal advice or personal choice. Threads on X frequently reference the April attorney statement as the only official word.

Some accounts have circulated old tour footage and music clips, prompting debates about separating art from allegations. Others focus strictly on court updates and the public defender transition.

Trending hashtags have included both the singer’s stage name and the victim’s name, reflecting divided attention between celebrity coverage and the underlying case facts.

Industry and label positioning

Interscope Records, which released D4vd’s major-label debut *Withered*, has made no public comment since the arrest. Past projects, including the Fortnite collaboration, remain available on streaming platforms without new promotion.

Industry insiders describe the current approach as standard during active criminal proceedings. Labels typically wait for resolution before deciding on catalog strategy or future releases.

The absence of label statements leaves the April attorney declaration as the dominant public message tied to D4vd. Any future artistic output would likely require addressing the case directly or waiting for legal closure.

Timeline and next steps

Trial scheduling remains pending as of late 2026. Prosecutors have indicated they will seek the death penalty if a conviction is secured, though the state moratorium means any sentence would convert to life without parole.

Defense counsel has signaled plans to challenge evidence admissibility and witness credibility. Those motions could generate new statements once filed and argued in open court.

Observers expect the case to stretch into 2027 given the volume of discovery and the seriousness of the charges. Each procedural step offers potential for fresh commentary from either side.

Looking ahead

The record shows that D4vd has not issued any personal public statements about the murder allegations. All positioning has come through attorneys whose April declaration maintains his innocence and promises a vigorous defense. Future developments at trial will determine whether that stance expands, shifts, or stays fixed as the case proceeds.