D4vd's Father Reportedly Sells Texas Property And Takes Out Loan As Singer Faces Severe Money Issues

D4vd's father has reportedly sold a Texas property and taken out a substantial loan as the singer faces financial difficulties while facing murder and other charges in Los Angeles.

The transactions come as the 21-year-old artist, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, has been determined by a California court to qualify for appointed counsel and is now represented by the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office in the case involving the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

Burke had been represented by high-profile attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter following his April arrest. On August 31, 2026, the lawyers withdrew after the court determined that Burke qualified for appointed counsel. Deputy Public Defender Walid Kandeel has since taken over his defence.

Property Transactions Draw Scrutiny

Real estate records obtained by reports show that Dawud Burke, the singer's father, sold a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Houston, Texas, for $229,000 (£169,000) in early July. The property measured 1,819 square feet.

A couple of months earlier, in late April, documents showed that Dawud took out a $138,000 (£102,000) loan secured against a different Houston property. That home was described as a three-bedroom, one-bathroom residence spanning 1,260 square feet.

According to reports, Dawud lives in Hempstead, Texas, in a four-bedroom, three-bathroom property measuring approximately 4,426 square feet and estimated to be worth $850,000 (£630,000).

The timing of the transactions has drawn attention because they occurred around the period when Burke's private legal team withdrew. However, the available records do not establish that either transaction was connected to Burke's legal expenses or financial circumstances.

Indigency Ruling Sparks Dispute

The switch to a public defender followed a court determination that Burke qualified for appointed counsel. The Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office said it had conducted a thorough financial evaluation and determined that Burke was eligible, while declining to disclose details of his finances.

The family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez has disputed that determination. Through their attorney, the family questioned Burke's financial circumstances and alleged that assets associated with him are held through corporations. Those allegations have not been established as fact by a court.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said after the August 31 hearing that the death penalty remains a possibility, although prosecutors have not yet decided whether to seek it.

Burke faces charges including first-degree murder with special circumstances, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody without bail.

A status conference is scheduled for October 19. According to reports, a trial could take place within 90 days of that hearing, although the precise trial schedule remains subject to the court proceedings and applicable time rules.

Burke's Reported Earnings

During the preliminary hearing, his financial manager testified that Burke generated approximately $10 million to $11 million (£7.42 million to £8.16 million) between 2023 and 2025 through music, merchandise and publishing-related income. Burke also had a multimillion-dollar recording agreement with Interscope Records.

Those figures should not, however, be treated as equivalent to money currently available to Burke personally. Career earnings, record-label advances and contractual deal values can be subject to expenses, commissions, recoupment and other financial obligations.

The connection between Dawud Burke's property transactions and his son's legal expenses has not been established.

IBTimes UK has not independently verified that the property sale or loan was intended to fund Burke's defence, and the property records cited in the reporting do not state a purpose for either transaction.