Fortnite Won't Remove D4vd Cosmetics After Murder Charge, But You Can Get A Refund
Overview & Key Takeaways
Epic Games has confirmed that refunds will be available for cosmetics related to D4vd, the singer-songwriter connected to Fortnite who is accused of killing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. However, the cosmetics are not being removed entirely as many asked for.
On social media, the Fortnite Status account said, "We hear the concerns," adding that an update coming April 28 will allow people who bought a D4vd cosmetic to get an immediate self-service refund. You don't have to wait, though, as players who request refunds now can get one, it's just that the immediate self-service refunds won't be available until April 28.
Many online commenters are saying this doesn't go far enough and that Epic should remove the D4vd cosmetics entirely. This isn't the first serious issue with Fortnite cosmetics. Before this, Epic disabled and then modified a Peacemaker emote after fans pointed out the connections to Nazi imagery. Prior to that, Epic faced legal battles over its dance emotes.
Epic Games has confirmed that refunds will be available for cosmetics related to D4vd, the singer-songwriter connected to Fortnite who is accused of killing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. However, the cosmetics are not being removed entirely as many asked for.
On social media, the Fortnite Status account said, "We hear the concerns," adding that an update coming April 28 will allow people who bought a D4vd cosmetic to get an immediate self-service refund. You don't have to wait, though, as players who request refunds now can get one, it's just that the immediate self-service refunds won't be available until April 28.
Many online commenters are saying this doesn't go far enough and that Epic should remove the D4vd cosmetics entirely. This isn't the first serious issue with Fortnite cosmetics. Before this, Epic disabled and then modified a Peacemaker emote after fans pointed out the connections to Nazi imagery. Prior to that, Epic faced legal battles over its dance emotes.
D4vd--whose real name is David Burke--is accused of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The girl's dismembered and decomposed body was found in the trunk of a car that authorities say was owned by D4vd. One of D4vd's attorneys said, "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."
As we reported previously, Burke began his musical career as D4vd not long after posting Fortnite montages to YouTube with his original songs in 2021. Since then, he became a rising star in the R&B scene, opening for SZA in 2023, performing at The Game Awards in 2024, and playing a set at Coachella in 2025.
"Celeste was just a child, under 14 years old, when David Burke allegedly engaged in repeated lewd and lascivious sexual relations with her," LA County 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."
Image credit: Getty Images North America
