Epic Games is moving to distance Fortnite from content tied to a musician facing serious criminal charges. The studio confirmed Monday that players can request refunds for D4vd cosmetics, with a self-service refund portal launching later this week.
D4vd, the stage name of 21-year-old U.S. singer David Anthony Burke, was charged with murdering a 14-year-old girl, Celeste Rivas Hernandez, allegedly in late April 2025. Burke pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a minor, and mutilating a dead body.
The artist's presence in Fortnite had already drawn calls for removal from players uncomfortable owning his cosmetics. The items in question include two emotes, Feel It and Trophy Drop, plus two jam tracks, What Are You Waiting For and Locked and Loaded.
Epic's decision came after players reported success in securing refunds through the game's support channels. The Fortnite Status account announced the studio would deliver a broader set of changes over time, with the first phase arriving Tuesday, April 28th. At that point, anyone who purchased D4vd cosmetics will be able to initiate a refund without contacting support directly. Those requesting refunds now through player support are already being accommodated.
Some players are now pressing Epic to go further, asking the developer to remove D4vd cosmetics from accounts entirely, including items obtained through tournament wins or other non-purchase means. Epic has not yet committed to a full removal from the game, though the studio's language about "a bunch of changes we're rolling out over time" leaves room for additional action.
The decision reflects a broader pattern in gaming where publishers reassess partnerships when associated figures face criminal allegations. How comprehensively Epic will strip the artist's presence from Fortnite remains unclear, but the self-service refund window marks the first concrete step.
Author Emily Chen: "Epic's moving fast on this, but the vagueness about future changes suggests they're still figuring out whether to go nuclear on D4vd content or just let refunds cool the immediate backlash."
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