The music world is in shock as David Burke, better known by his stage name D4VD, finds himself at the center of a grave legal maelstrom. Law enforcement is currently conducting an intensive investigation following the discovery of the badly decomposed body of 14-year-old Celeste Hernandez in the front trunk of D4VD’s Tesla. While the internet buzzes with expectations of imminent murder charges, an equally disturbing reality looms: charges stemming from a “highly inappropriate and criminal relationship” with the minor, given her age of 14 and his age of 20.

As the legal proceedings unfold, a former state prisoner, having served a decade behind bars, offers a stark, unfiltered glimpse into the harrowing future that could await D4VD. This isn’t the romanticized version of prison life often depicted in media; it’s a brutal assessment grounded in harsh experience. The ex-con’s analysis paints a grim picture, devoid of the privileges that fame might suggest, predicting that D4VD “will not survive” the California prison system as he knows it.

The former inmate begins by dissecting D4VD’s physical stature, a seemingly minor detail that, in the unforgiving hierarchy of prison, becomes paramount. Standing at 5’7” and weighing a mere 130 lbs, D4VD is described as a “little doofus.” This physical disadvantage is critical because, unlike the outside world where weapons can equalize power dynamics, prison relies on raw physical capability. There are no guns to level the playing field; confrontations are “violent, up close, and personal.” Without extensive training in combat arts like Jiu-Jitsu or striking, D4VD’s small frame renders him “not a threat.”

In prison, being a physical threat is not just about instilling fear; it’s about being an “asset.” Gangs, which dominate the California state prison landscape, seek out individuals who can enforce their will, protect their interests, and command respect through sheer physical dominance. An individual who is physically capable, regardless of their past crimes, can be embraced and even celebrated by a gang, their transgressions overlooked in favor of their utility. However, D4VD, with his perceived lack of physical prowess and “stickers on his face” aesthetic, offers no such value. His appearance and perceived demeanor, as noted by the ex-con, do not project the image of a “thug” or a “super soldier.” Consequently, he is unlikely to be seen as an asset to any prison faction.

The discussion then turns to the murder charges themselves. While the ex-con acknowledges the difficulty of definitively pinning the murder of Celeste on D4VD due to his status as a “superstar” with an entourage and multiple vehicles, he raises critical questions about D4VD’s cooperation with authorities. The argument posits that if D4VD truly loved Celeste and was innocent of her murder, he would have immediately identified who had access to his vehicle at the time of her death, leading to a swift arrest. The lack of an arrest, despite D4VD reportedly cooperating, casts a shadow of doubt on his claims of innocence regarding the murder.

However, the ex-con emphasizes that even if D4VD is not ultimately charged with murder, his fate in prison is sealed by the “undeniable” fact of his “criminal, illegal, predatory statutory relationship” with Celeste, who was 14, and potentially even 13, during their alleged romantic involvement. Evidence such as matching tattoos, photos, texts, videos, and D4VD’s public romantic references to her in songs and poetry, makes the statutory charges almost inevitable, especially with the seizure of his computers.

This is where D4VD’s prison experience truly takes a dangerous turn. While popular media often portrays inmates as “superheroes and vigilantes” who protect women, the ex-con vehemently debunks this myth, labeling it a misconception fueled by movies and TV shows. He asserts that the majority of male inmates, despite their outward moral posturing, frequently have histories of violence against women, domestic abuse, and disrespectful behavior. Therefore, the notion that D4VD will be targeted simply because he “hurt a woman” is, in this analysis, a superficial understanding of prison dynamics. The real issue, according to the ex-con, is Celeste’s age: “she was 14 at the time that she was killed” and “13 to 14 at the time that they had a romantic relationship. That is sick. As a man in your 20s, that is sick.”

California prisons are notoriously divided along racial lines: Black, White, and Mexican gangs. Despite D4VD being Black, the ex-con predicts that the Black gang will not accept him. This is not due to racial bias, but because accepting someone facing “pedophilic charges” would be a “blemish upon their record.” The only exception would be if D4VD were an imposing figure, a “7 foot 1, 315 lbs” “behemoth” who could serve as a formidable enforcer. Given his actual physical attributes, D4VD offers no such strategic advantage. “He’s 5 foot 7, 130 lbs. My girlfriend could probably beat the crap out of him,” the ex-con states bluntly, underscoring D4VD’s lack of “physical violent value.”

Fame offers no shield in this brutal environment. The ex-con dismisses the idea that D4VD’s celebrity status will protect him from other inmates, citing the cases of Tory Lanez, Danny Masterson, and even Scott Peterson. He argues that these individuals, arguably more famous and with greater public recognition than D4VD, have all suffered attacks in prison. Tory Lanez was nearly stabbed to death, Masterson was beaten, and Peterson has endured assaults for two decades. “Quit watching Netflix, quit watching movies and TV shows. He’s not safe,” the ex-con warns, emphasizing that D4VD is not an exception.

There is, however, one potential avenue for temporary safety: money. With a reported net worth of $2-3 million, D4VD could “pay for protection” through extortion. However, this strategy comes with its own set of complications. Tory Lanez, despite his wealth, chose not to pay for protection, desiring to maintain a “ghetto gangster thugged out badass” persona. This decision, the ex-con suggests, led to him being stabbed. D4VD, who reportedly does not cultivate such an image, might be more willing to pay. Yet, even money has its limits. Danny Masterson, a “Hollywood actor” with “generational wealth,” reportedly still suffered severe beatings, necessitating his transfer to a different prison. This illustrates that even vast sums of money cannot guarantee absolute safety in the face of random acts of violence or when funds eventually run out.

The ex-con paints a stark picture of D4VD’s future: “He will be attacked. He will be hurt. He will be messed up. He might be stabbed like Tory Lanez. He might be beaten like Danny Masterson.” He concludes with a chilling prediction: “He will never live the good life… He will have an attack on him within his first two years in prison. I predict it and I guarantee it and I will stand by it. He will not survive California prisons.” This assessment lays bare the unforgiving realities of incarceration, where reputation, physical presence, and the nature of one’s crimes weigh heavily, often overshadowing fame and fortune.