What Has D4vd Said About the Murder Allegations?

D4vd, the 20-year-old singer behind “Romantic Homicide,” has faced first-degree murder charges tied to the 2025 death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. His legal team has issued denials, but the artist himself has offered no public statements. The absence of direct comment shapes how the case is discussed online and in court coverage.

Defense statement arrives first

Shortly after the April 2026 arrest, attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter released a joint statement. They said the evidence would show Burke did not cause Celeste’s death. The message avoided specific facts, focusing instead on a broad claim of innocence.

The same filing promised vigorous defense. It did not preview trial strategy or address the sexual-abuse counts. Reporters noted the tone mirrored standard early-stage criminal cases involving high-profile defendants.

Spokespeople also confirmed Burke had learned of the discovery and was cooperating with investigators while still on tour. That detail circulated through NBC News before the formal charges were filed.

No personal posts surface

Since the remains were found in April 2025, D4vd’s verified social accounts have stayed silent on the case. Fans searching his profiles for updates have found only archived tour posts and promotional clips.

Occasional screenshots of alleged “confession videos” have circulated on X and TikTok, but fact-checkers quickly labeled them fake. No audio or video from Burke addressing the allegations has been authenticated by credible outlets.

Industry observers say the silence is unsurprising. Most attorneys instruct clients facing serious felony counts to stay off the record until trial concludes.

Representation shift draws notice

By mid-summer, Burke replaced his initial high-profile counsel with a public defender. Court filings listed the change without explanation, though routine scheduling orders continued uninterrupted.

Defense attorneys challenged the prosecution’s timeline during the July preliminary hearing. They noted the absence of witnesses or footage showing the victim entering the home on the alleged date.

The judge still found probable cause and ordered the case to trial. No new statements from the defense team followed the ruling.

Family lawsuit adds pressure

Celeste’s relatives filed a civil suit weeks after the criminal charges. Their attorneys asked for damages and a public apology, neither of which the criminal case can provide.

The lawsuit papers repeat allegations already outlined by prosecutors, including claims that Burke met the victim when she was 13. Defense counsel filed a standard denial but did not comment publicly.

Reporters covering both proceedings note that the civil case moves on a faster calendar, keeping the story in headlines even when the criminal docket is quiet.

Online theories fill the gap

With no quotes from D4vd available, social media threads have dissected his earlier lyrics for hidden meaning. Some posts treat “Romantic Homicide” as foreshadowing; others dismiss the reading as coincidence.

Streaming numbers dipped after the charges but rebounded once the song was added to gaming playlists again. Playlist curators at Epic Games confirmed the track remains in rotation for Fortnite events scheduled later this year.

Brand partners have stayed quiet. A sneaker collaboration teased in March has not received an official launch date or cancellation notice.

Prosecutors outline motive

At the preliminary hearing, prosecutors argued Burke feared career damage if the relationship became public. They cited phone records and messages to support the timeline.

Defense counsel countered that digital evidence alone does not prove physical involvement in the death. They reiterated the lack of eyewitness or forensic links presented so far.

The judge allowed both narratives to stand for trial, leaving jurors to weigh competing interpretations of the same records.

Media coverage stays measured

Major outlets have limited their reporting to court documents and official statements. Speculative pieces tying lyrics directly to motive appear mostly on smaller blogs and fan accounts.

Variety and The New York Times have run backgrounders on how labels handle ongoing criminal cases, noting that catalog revenue often continues regardless of an artist’s legal status.

Local Los Angeles stations have focused on procedural updates rather than personality profiles, reflecting standard practice in high-profile homicide trials.

Trial calendar remains fluid

Jury selection is expected in early 2027, though defense motions could push that date. Both sides continue routine discovery exchanges without public comment.

Burke remains in custody. No bail requests have been reported since the initial hearing.

Observers expect periodic sealed filings, but any new public statements will most likely come through attorneys rather than the artist.

Next steps for observers

Viewers tracking the case can monitor official court channels for hearing dates and document releases. Until then, the public record shows only the legal team’s initial denial and Burke’s continued silence.