Singer D4vd Charged With
Capital Murder of 14-Year-Old Girl
 Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced that musician David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, was charged with murdering 14-year-old Celeste R., whose body was found decomposed and dismembered in his car that had been impounded in September 2025.
“Celeste was just a child, under 14 years old, when David Burke allegedly engaged in repeated lewd and lascivious sexual relations with her,” District Attorney Hochman said. “But Burke’s actions did not allegedly stop there. When she threatened to expose his criminal conduct and devastate his musical career, Burke allegedly murdered her, cut up her body and stuffed her body in two bags that were placed in the front trunk of his car. There the dismembered body sat for over four months decomposing until it was found at a tow yard on Sept. 8, 2025. This horrific and gruesome murder committed by the charged sexual predator is shocking and appalling. To Celeste’s loved ones, we will get the justice you seek and deserve.”
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Watch the full news conference here.
Read our news release here.
 Former UCLA Doctor James Heaps Pleads Guilty to
Sexual Assaults, Sentenced to Over a Decade
in Prison
 James Heaps, 69, was sentenced to 11 years in prison and required to register as a sex offender for life after he pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting five female patients from 2011 to 2018 while working as an obstetrician-gynecologist at UCLA. Heaps pleaded at a pretrial hearing just two months after a California appeals court overturned his 2023 conviction due to an error by the trial judge.
“This marks the second time that we’re holding James Heaps responsible for the unconscionable crimes he committed while being entrusted with the safety of his patients,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “For years, Heaps exploited the sacred trust between a doctor and patient to prey on vulnerable victims during medical procedures. This sentence ensures that Heaps will finally be held accountable for the harm he inflicted under the guise of care. To the survivors: I hope it brings you closure knowing that the individual who violated your trust has been definitively brought to justice. To all survivors, please know that we believe you and we will fight for you.”
Watch it on Instagram here.
Watch the full news conference here.
Read our news release here.
 People:
Burbank Man Charged with Killing 1st Grade Teacher, Seriously Injuring Her Daughter in ‘Vicious’ Attack
CBS News:
Man pleads guilty for crash that killed Los Angeles County sheriff's recruit, injured two dozen others
NBC 4:
Correctional officer worked with drug trafficker to smuggle cocaine into LA County, DA says
My California News:
Los Angeles probation officers charged with altering medical records to avoid full duties
ABC 7:
Suspect charged with 3 counts of murder in Pomona crash that killed pregnant woman and her boyfriend
Santa Monica Outlook:
Santa Monica Man Charged with Kidnapping, Rape
 
LADA Marks Crime Victims’ Rights Week
With Child Abuse Symposium
 In honor of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office hosted a symposium earlier this month that brought together prosecutors, advocates and investigators who handle child physical and sexual abuse cases or cases where children are witnesses.
Held at the California Endowment in downtown Los Angeles, the event was marked by moving remarks by Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman, Los Angeles County Board Supervisor Kathryn Barger and keynote speaker Erin Runnion, whose daughter, Samantha, was killed just days before her sixth birthday in July 2002.
Awards also were presented to those who work tirelessly to help crime victims and their families, including Victim Services Representative Hanna Dreiling, who works in LADA’s Bureau of Victim Services.
Watch it on Instagram here.
 DA Hochman Joins KTLA to
Talk Strategy and High-Profile Cases
 Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman recently joined Micah Ohlman and Mary Beth McDade at the KTLA studio to discuss his “hard work middle” approach to criminal justice, reforming California’s mental health diversion laws, an LAUSD money laundering scheme, and other high-profile cases.
Watch it on Instagram here.
Watch the full interview here.
 In Courtrooms Across LA County, Therapy Dogs Bring Comfort to Victims
 LADA recently celebrated National Dog Therapy Appreciation Day – a day to recognize the dogs who make a difference. 🐾
Skippy, Lennox and Nora are professionally trained facility dogs who have spent years supporting crime victims, primarily children, in all 14 courthouses in Los Angeles County. We thank our four-legged heroes and their Victim Services Representative handlers for their service. To learn more and request victim services, contact our Bureau of Victim Services at (800) 380-3811.
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