Singer D4vd Pleads Not Guilty to Murder Charge

Singer D4vd Charged with Murder, Pleads Not Guilty

Singer D4vd, whose legal name is D4vd, has pleaded not guilty to murder charges in connection with the death of a teenage girl. The victim, 14-year-old Celeste Rivas, was found in the trunk of a Tesla registered to the artist. This development comes after a year-long investigation into her disappearance and death.

Prosecutors Allege Inappropriate Relationship Motive

Prosecutors claim that D4vd, who is 21, murdered Celeste Rivas on April 23, 2025. They allege the motive was fear that the then-13-year-old would expose an inappropriate relationship between them. This alleged relationship was reportedly a threat to D4vd’s burgeoning music career.

According to the prosecution’s account, D4vd invited Celeste to his home in the Hollywood Hills. It is alleged that he then took her life to prevent her from revealing their relationship. Prosecutors have added an enhancement to the charges, accusing him of killing a witness, which could make the case eligible for the death penalty.

“The premise is that she had basically said, ‘Hey, I’m going to go and I’m going to reveal that we were having this relationship and he was not going to allow her to derail his career.”

Death Penalty Eligibility Looms

The charge of killing a witness means the prosecution could potentially seek the death penalty. However, this decision often involves consultation with the victim’s family. The final decision on whether to pursue capital punishment remains to be determined.

Timeline of Discovery and Investigation

Celeste Rivas’s body was discovered on September 8th in an impound lot. Employees at the lot reported a foul odor emanating from the vehicle, prompting them to contact the police. Upon opening the trunk, officers found a disturbing scene.

Investigators now believe Celeste had been deceased for at least four months prior to her discovery. This extended period explains the initial difficulties in identifying the victim. The delay in identification and the lack of immediate arrest led to public speculation about the investigation’s progress.

Allegations of Mutilation and Evidence

Authorities also believe D4vd may have mutilated the corpse on May 5th in Santa Barbara. Evidence suggests he traveled to a remote area to make the body easier to dispose of. This detail, along with other evidence, has brought the case into sharper focus for investigators.

Arrest and Charging Decision

D4vd was arrested on Thursday afternoon, but no charges were filed at that time. This created a critical window for the District Attorney’s office to decide whether to prosecute. Had the DA not filed charges by a specific deadline, D4vd would have been released.

The DA ultimately decided to file serious charges, moving the case forward. The investigation, which had seemed stalled to the public, appears to have been active behind the scenes. The recent charges provide a clearer picture of the prosecution’s case.

Looking Ahead

As the legal process begins, all eyes will be on the upcoming court proceedings. The defense will now prepare to challenge the prosecution’s evidence and allegations. The potential for the death penalty adds significant weight to the proceedings, with further updates expected as the case progresses.

Source: Singer D4vd pleads not guilty to murder charge in teen's death (YouTube)