Fortnite offers refunds on D4vd cosmetics following his arrest for murder

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 20: d4vd looks on during his arraignment for the murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez at Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center on April 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Nathan J. Hochman, Los Angeles County District Attorney, announced earlier in the day that David Anthony Burke, known as d4vd, was charged with the first-degree murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was found decomposed in his car. (Photo by Ted Soqui - Pool/Getty Images) — (Image credit: Photo by Ted Soqui - Pool/Getty Images)

Epic Games has confirmed that it will offer "self-service" refunds on D4vd cosmetics in Fortnite. The move comes after the singer, real name David Anthony Burke, was charged with the first-degree murder of a 14-year-old girl who went missing in 2024. At this point, however, Epic has not indicated that the cosmetics will be removed from Fortnite entirely.

"We hear the concerns," Epic said via the Fortnite Status account on X, confirming a report of a previously processed refund. "We have a bunch of changes we’re rolling out over time. The first one will be available on Tuesday April 28th, when anyone who purchased one of these items will be able to get an immediate self-service refund. And, right now, players who request refunds for D4vd cosmetics via player support can be refunded."

We hear the concerns. We have a bunch of changes we&rsquo;re rolling out over time. The first one will be available on Tuesday April 28th, when anyone who purchased one of these items will be able to get an immediate self-service refund. And, right now, players who request refunds for D4vd cosmetics via player support can be refunded. — (Image credit: Epic Games (Twitter))

D4vd came to prominence in 2021 by posting Fortnite gameplay montages backed by his original music; he released two charting singles in 2022, and a pair of EPs the following year. His first studio album, Withered, was released in 2025. He also performed at The Game Awards in 2024, joining 21 Pilots and Royal & the Serpent to perform music from the League of Legends animated series Arcane. He was charged with the murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez on April 20, more than six months after her remains were found in a Tesla registered to D4vd's address.

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The reaction to Epic's decision to allow refunds for D4vd cosmetics in Fortnite, but to leave the items and the singer's music in place, seems for the most part to be that it doesn't go far enough. A few people have trotted out the "innocent until proven guilty" argument, as though Fortnite is a court of law and not an extraordinarily lucrative commercial product with pressing reputational concerns. Most, though, say the items should be removed from the game completely.

That would not be without precedent: Epic very quickly pulled the Peaceful Hips emote from Peacemaker in 2025, for instance, when its apparent pro-Nazi symbolism became very hard to overlook.

Rolling Stone reports that D4vd was dropped by his record label, Interscope, in 2025, after police began investigating the singer as a suspect in the murder. Following his arrest, singers who have collaborated with D4vd, including Holly Humberstone, Laufey, and Kali Uchis have also reportedly begun removing those works from streaming platforms.

D4vd, who is now 21, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Epic declined to comment.

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Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.