Singer D4vd charged with first-degree murder in killing of 14-year-old girl; booking photo released
The body of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found in the trunk of a Tesla in a Hollywood tow yard last September.
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The singer D4vd has been charged with murder and other counts in connection with the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who was found dead in the musician's towed Tesla, prosecutors announced Monday.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman outlined the charges at a morning press conference, where he was accompanied by LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell.
"These charges include the most serious charges that a D.A.'s office can bring - that is, first-degree murder with special circumstances," Hochman told reporters. "The special circumstances being: lying in wait, committing this crime for financial gain, or murdering a witness in an investigation."
D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, was arrested on Thursday in connection with Celeste's death.
He faces a maximum sentence of the possibility of life in prison without the possibility of parole, or the death penalty, if convicted as charged, Hochman said. The determination of whether prosecutors will seek the death penalty will be made at a later time.
Celeste's family is expected to make their first public statement through their attorney outside of the courthouse after the D.A.'s press conference.
The teen's dismembered body was found in the trunk of a Tesla registered to the singer last fall.
RELATED: Timeline of investigation into killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez
Sources told ABC News the arrest was based on evidence and probable cause that was developed and that it was not an indictment. Meantime, the Medical Examiner has ruled the teen's death a homicide.
A Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who spoke with Eyewitness News said we can expect to see some fireworks in the case on Monday, and the major issue at the arraignment will be whether or not singer D4vd stays in custody. For now, he's being held without bail.
R.J. Dreiling says the prosecutor has two ways they can keep D4vd in custody -- by filing charges that are death penalty-eligible, or by arguing for no bail, stating that their case is strong enough and D4vd could be a safety or flight risk if released.
On the defense side, they could argue for scheduled bail so the singer can be released, arguing there's no possibility D4vd could flee due to his fame status.
READ MORE: Who is D4vd? Singer arrested in 14-year-old's death started as video game streamer
Either way, multiple arguments will be made on both sides.
"The issue with this case is there's no real dispute that the car was registered to D4vd," said Dreiling. "The question is whether or not the DNA they recovered from the car can circumstantially prove he was somehow involved in her death. I think that's why it's been some time between the discovery of the body and his arrest, is that they're carefully picking apart and bringing together all the evidence. We'll have some answers soon, whether or not he was involved or whether or not he wasn't involved."
In a statement to ABC7, D4vd's attorney said his client is innocent and did not kill Celeste.
"Let us be clear - the actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death," the statement read. "There has been no indictment returned by any grand jury in this case and no criminal complaint filed. David has only been detained under suspicion. We will vigorously defend David's innocence."
Attorneys for the family of Celeste say they will fully participate in the upcoming criminal court proceedings and plan to attend the arraignment on Monday.
