How Much Was D4vd Making? Lawyers Drop Murder Case as Singer Is Declared 'Indigent'

D4vd's murder case has taken an unexpected turn after his private lawyers withdrew and a public defender took over his defence, despite testimony showing the singer earned millions of dollars during his rapid rise to fame.

The change in representation has put fresh focus on the 21-year-old's finances as he faces charges over the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, has pleaded not guilty.

D4vd's Lawyers Withdraw

Burke's private lawyers, Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter, have been granted permission to withdraw from his defence as the singer's criminal case moves towards trial.

The reason for their withdrawal has not been publicly disclosed. In a statement, the lawyers said the court had determined that Burke qualified for appointed counsel, with the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office subsequently taking over his defence.

'This morning the court granted our request to withdraw as counsel and appointed the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office, after it was determined David qualified for appointed counsel,' the lawyers said.

They added that they continued to support Burke and were grateful that the public defender's office had taken over his representation.

According to TMZ, Burke was deemed 'indigent', meaning he qualified for publicly funded legal representation.

The development has drawn attention due to the financial testimony presented during the preliminary hearing, indicating that the singer had generated millions of dollars between 2023 and 2025.

D4vd's Pre-Trial Earnings

Burke's music career rose rapidly after his songs gained traction on TikTok and streaming platforms. His breakthrough tracks included 'Romantic Homicide' and 'Here With Me', helping him secure a multimillion-dollar deal with Interscope Records.

Financial manager Benjamin Greger testified that Burke grossed between $10 million (£7.4 million) and $11 million (£8.1 million) from 2023 to 2025.

Those figures do not establish how much money Burke currently has available. Gross earnings can be reduced by taxes, management fees, production costs, touring expenses and other liabilities.

Victim's Family Questions Public Defender Eligibility

Meanwhile, Rivas Hernandez's family has questioned Burke's eligibility for a public defender.

In a statement, the family's lawyer, Patrick Steinfeld, pointed to Burke's streaming figures and claimed that the singer controls three corporations.

'It is unfathomable that our justice system qualifies David Anthony Burke as indigent when D4VD has 5+ billion streams with 16 million monthly listeners on a single streaming platform, and controls three corporations,' Steinfeld said.

Steinfeld added, 'David Anthony Burke is not indigent. His assets are protected by his companies. Perhaps he would have money if he just asked one of his corporations.'

These claims have not been established as facts by a court.

Everything We Know About the Case So Far

The case centres on Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were discovered inside a Tesla registered to Burke at a Hollywood tow yard on 8 September 2025. Prosecutors have alleged Burke killed the teenager in April 2025 and subsequently dismembered her body.

Burke faces charges including murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. Prosecutors have alleged that he killed Rivas Hernandez after she threatened to expose their relationship, but those claims remain allegations and Burke has pleaded not guilty.

Judge Charlaine Olmedo ruled on 27 July 2026 that sufficient evidence existed for Burke to stand trial. Burke remains in custody without bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for 19 October, when his newly appointed public defender will continue preparing the case.