Fortnite is offering refunds for in-game purchases related to rapper D4vd, who has been charged with murder. The move comes after public outcry over the game's continued sale of cosmetics and emotes associated with the artist, whose real name is David Anthony Burke. Epic Games announced on April 26 that players could request refunds immediately, with a self-service option available starting April 28.
Background on the Case
Burke, 21, was arrested on April 16 by Los Angeles police and charged with murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and corpse mutilation. He pleaded not guilty. The victim, 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, was last seen at Burke’s Hollywood Hills residence in April 2024. Her remains were found in the trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke in September 2024, one day after what would have been her 15th birthday. Prosecutors allege Hernandez threatened to expose Burke’s criminal conduct before her death.
Fortnite’s Connection to D4vd
D4vd’s song Locked & Loaded became Fortnite’s first official anthem in 2025. The rapper had previously posted Fortnite gameplay videos on YouTube as a teen. In a 2025 interview with Variety, he called the game a major influence on his career. Epic Games has not yet announced whether it will remove D4vd-related items from the game permanently.
Public and Legal Context
The L.A. County Medical Examiner released Hernandez’s cause of death on April 24, confirming the findings as part of the ongoing investigation. Burke’s legal team has not publicly commented on the refund policy or the charges.