The legal team representing singer D4vd has issued a forceful response to Los Angeles authorities following their client's arrest on Thursday, April 16, 2026, questioning the basis for detaining the artist when no formal charges have been filed.
Attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter released a statement asserting their client's innocence and highlighting significant procedural concerns about the arrest. The legal team emphasized that David Burke, known professionally as D4vd, was taken into custody by the Los Angeles Police Department on suspicion of murdering Celeste Rivas Hernandez despite the absence of any formal legal proceedings against him.
"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 attorneys stated. They further clarified the unusual nature of the detention: "There has been no indictment returned by any grand jury in this case and no criminal complaint filed."
The legal team's statement underscores a critical distinction in criminal procedure. While law enforcement can arrest individuals on suspicion of a crime, formal charges typically follow through either a grand jury indictment or a criminal complaint filed by prosecutors. In this case, neither has occurred, leaving D4vd detained without formal accusations.
"David has only been detained under suspicion. We will vigorously defend David's innocence," the attorneys declared, signaling their intention to mount an aggressive defense should charges materialize.
The Los Angeles District Attorney's Office has acknowledged the ongoing nature of the investigation, issuing a statement indicating that prosecutors will review the facts and evidence to determine whether sufficient grounds exist to file charges. This review process represents a standard step in serious criminal cases, where prosecutors evaluate whether the evidence meets the legal threshold for prosecution.
The case raises questions about the timeline and process authorities will follow. Without an indictment or complaint, prosecutors face legal deadlines for either filing charges or releasing the detained individual. The coming days will prove critical as the District Attorney's Office completes its review and determines the path forward in this high-profile investigation.