Singer D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, has suffered a major change in his legal representation as he faces serious criminal charges over the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
The 21-year-old musician appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom on Monday, August 31, where his high-profile private defence team was allowed to withdraw from the case. The Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office was subsequently appointed to represent him after the court determined that he qualified for publicly funded legal representation.
D4vd, known for his breakout hit “Romantic Homicide,” was represented by prominent attorneys, Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter. The three lawyers told the court they could no longer continue as his counsel, but they did not publicly disclose the reason for their withdrawal.
In a statement, the outgoing lawyers confirmed that the court had approved their request and appointed the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office after determining that Burke qualified for appointed counsel.
They also made clear that their departure should not be interpreted as abandoning their former client or withdrawing support for his defence.
The legal team said they continued to support Burke as he fought the charges and expressed confidence in the team of lawyers and investigators who had now taken over the case.
Deputy Public Defender, Walid Kandeel, has taken over Burke’s defence. According to reports from the courtroom, Kandeel requested additional time before the arraignment, but Judge Charlaine Olmedo rejected the request and proceeded with the hearing. Burke subsequently entered another plea of not guilty.
The appointment of a public defender has attracted considerable attention because of Burke’s previous earnings from his music career.
Testimony during an earlier proceeding indicated that the singer earned at least $10 million from his music-related income between 2023 and 2025. Other reports have put the value of his Interscope Records deal at about $11 million.
Despite those figures, the court’s financial assessment found him eligible for appointed counsel. The Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office has reportedly confirmed that it carried out a financial evaluation before determining that Burke qualified for its services.
The circumstances surrounding his finances have therefore become a point of interest, although the precise details of his current financial position have not been made public.
There have also been reports that Burke did not publicly display the kind of extravagant lifestyle that might normally be associated with someone who had earned millions of dollars. He had reportedly been living in a rented property, while details of how much money remains from his previous earnings are unclear.
However, the fact that he qualified for a public defender should not by itself be taken as proof that he has completely exhausted his fortune. The court’s determination is based on his financial circumstances and eligibility for appointed representation, while the full details of his assets and liabilities have not been publicly disclosed.
The change in defence comes at a critical stage in the murder case.
Burke is facing charges connected to the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were discovered inside a Tesla associated with him in September 2025. Prosecutors allege that the teenager was killed in April 2025 and that her body was subsequently dismembered and concealed.
The case has attracted international attention because of the allegations involving the young singer, who had built a substantial online following before the criminal investigation.
Prosecutors have accused Burke of first-degree murder, continuous lewd and lascivious acts involving a child under 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains. A judge previously ruled, following a lengthy evidentiary hearing in July, that there was sufficient evidence for Burke to stand trial on the charges.
Burke has denied the allegations and has pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution’s case includes evidence presented during the preliminary proceedings, while Burke’s former lawyers also challenged aspects of the evidence and questioned whether prosecutors had established enough proof to support the murder allegation.
The case has not yet reached trial, meaning the allegations against Burke remain allegations unless and until they are proven in court.
Los Angeles County District Attorney, Nathan Hochman, has said prosecutors are prepared to continue pursuing the case despite the change in Burke’s legal team. The district attorney’s office is also considering whether to seek the death penalty, although a final decision on that issue had not been announced as of Monday.
The switch from a high-profile private defence team to a public defender has also raised questions about whether the development could affect the case schedule.
Hochman indicated that the change in lawyers would not alter the prosecution’s approach, although the transition could potentially affect the timing of future proceedings. No trial date has been fixed.
Burke is expected to return to court in October for another status hearing as both sides continue preparing for the next stage of the case. Reports have cited October 19 as the next scheduled court appearance.
Berk, one of the lawyers who represented Burke before the withdrawal, is a veteran Hollywood defence attorney who has represented a number of high-profile clients. Her departure therefore marks a significant change in the legal strategy surrounding one of the most closely watched criminal cases involving a young music star.
D4vd rose to prominence through social media platforms including TikTok, SoundCloud and Spotify. His 2022 song “Romantic Homicide” became a major international hit and helped establish him as one of the notable young voices in contemporary alternative R&B and indie-pop.
His rapid rise in the music industry makes the criminal case particularly consequential for his career.
For now, however, the focus remains on the courtroom.
With a public defender now leading his defence, D4vd will continue to fight the charges against him while prosecutors prepare their case. His previous lawyers have maintained that they support his defence, but the reasons behind their withdrawal remain undisclosed.
The court’s decision to appoint a public defender represents one of the latest major developments in the case, coming as Burke faces the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence if convicted.
For the moment, the singer remains presumed innocent under the law and has maintained his not-guilty plea as the legal proceedings move toward trial.