The celebrity legal team representing US singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, has withdrawn from his upcoming murder trial, with a public defender now appointed in their place. Burke, 21, faces charges including first-degree murder, mutilation of human remains and child sexual abuse over the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were found in a Tesla registered to his address in September 2025. The case draws significant public attention given Burke's music career and the involvement of high-profile lawyer Blair Berk, previously known for representing figures such as Harvey Weinstein and Britney Spears.

Burke pleaded not guilty to all charges again on Monday after a judge ruled last month that he must stand trial. Prosecutors allege he stabbed Hernandez after years of sexual abuse and then dismembered her body, claiming the motive was to stop her exposing his relationship with a minor and damaging his career; threatening texts from Hernandez were cited as evidence at a preliminary hearing. The murder charge carries special circumstances that could make Burke eligible for the death penalty, and a pretrial hearing has been scheduled for 19 October.