American musician D4vd has pleaded not guilty to multiple murder charges in connection with the death of a 14-year-old girl whose remains were discovered last year.

The 21-year-old artist, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, appeared in court in Los Angeles on Monday for his arraignment, his first appearance since his arrest. He did not speak during the hearing, with his legal team entering the plea on his behalf.

Burke is accused of murdering Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who was reported missing in April 2025. Prosecutors allege she visited his home in the Hollywood Hills on 23 April and was never seen again.

According to court documents, her dismembered remains were discovered on 8 September 2025 in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke. Investigators said the body had been severely decomposed, with limbs found separated inside a bag.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, led by Nathan Hochman, has filed several charges against the singer. These include first-degree murder with special circumstances, as well as allegations of murder for financial gain and killing a potential witness.

Prosecutors claim Burke acted to protect his music career, alleging the teenager posed a threat to his reputation. They also allege she was a witness in an investigation involving sexual misconduct.

Hochman said the case includes allegations of serious offences involving a minor, as well as the mutilation of a body. He added that the prosecution could pursue the death penalty.

Burke’s defence team strongly rejected the accusations, maintaining that evidence will show he did not kill the teenager and was not responsible for her death. They also pushed for a more transparent legal process after months of closed-door grand jury proceedings.

In a notable move, the court ordered the release of the coroner’s report, which had previously been sealed—an uncommon step in such cases.

The family of Rivas Hernandez said in a statement that they remain committed to ensuring her voice is heard and her memory honoured throughout the legal process.

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell also addressed criticism over the handling of the investigation, defending the limited release of information in the months following the discovery of the body.

American singer D4vd has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of a teenage girl whose remains were discovered last year, according to police in Los Angeles.

The 21-year-old artist, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, is being held without bail following his arrest by the Los Angeles Police Department. Authorities say the case will be presented to prosecutors next week.

The investigation centres on the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old who was reported missing in April 2024. Her remains were discovered on 8 September in a vehicle linked to Burke, after reports of a foul odour led authorities to a tow yard in Hollywood.

Court documents indicate that investigators found decomposed remains inside a bag in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to an address associated with the singer. Officials said the body had been there for several weeks, though the exact cause of death has not yet been determined.

The county medical examiner has described the remains as severely decomposed and has not yet ruled on how the teenager died, keeping the case classified as an ongoing death investigation for months prior to the arrest.

In a statement, Burke’s legal team denied the allegations, insisting that evidence would ultimately show he was not responsible for the girl’s death. They also noted that no formal charges or indictment had yet been filed, and that he has been detained based on suspicion.

The case has drawn widespread attention due to its disturbing details and the lack of clear information surrounding the circumstances of the teenager’s death. Investigators had previously identified Burke as a target of a grand jury inquiry, which began hearing evidence late last year.

Further details emerged through court filings after members of Burke’s family were summoned to testify. Documents indicated he could face proceedings related to a potential murder charge.

Rivas Hernandez, who lived in the Lake Elsinore area, had reportedly run away from home before, but her disappearance last year prompted concern from family and neighbours. Her case has since attracted significant online speculation, particularly regarding any possible connection to the singer.

Authorities have said little publicly about the nature of that connection, and key records in the case were sealed by a judge to allow investigators to gather evidence without interference.

American actress Joy Harmon, best known for her memorable appearance in the classic film Cool Hand Luke, has died at the age of 87.

Harmon passed away at her home in Los Angeles on Tuesday after suffering from pneumonia for several weeks, according to U.S. media reports.

She gained lasting recognition for a brief but iconic role in Cool Hand Luke, starring Paul Newman. Although her character had no spoken lines and appeared on screen for only a few minutes, the scene became one of the most talked-about moments in the film.

Credited simply as “The Girl,” Harmon portrayed a woman washing a car in a sequence filled with suggestive undertones, drawing the attention of prisoners working nearby. The character was referred to as “Lucille” by one of the inmates during the scene, which went on to define her career.

Reflecting on the moment years later, Harmon said she had approached the scene innocently, focusing on performing the task naturally without fully grasping its double meanings.

Her acting career spanned several decades, with 32 credited appearances in film and television from the 1950s through the early 1970s. She featured in popular television series including Bewitched, Batman, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Beverly Hillbillies, The Odd Couple and The Monkees.

Before her acting career, Harmon began in entertainment as a child model and pageant contestant, later transitioning into television appearances on comedy and quiz shows.

After stepping away from acting, she worked at Walt Disney Studios and went on to open a bakery in Los Angeles in 2003. Despite leaving Hollywood, she reportedly continued to receive fan mail regularly.

Harmon is survived by three children and nine grandchildren, leaving behind a legacy tied to one of cinema’s most enduring moments.