Singer D4vd Must Stand Trial for Killing of Celeste Rivas Hernandez

The legal proceedings against 21-year-old musician David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, reached a critical juncture on July 27, as a Los Angeles judge determined that prosecutors provided sufficient probable cause for a full criminal trial. Burke has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder with special circumstances, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo ordered that he continue to be held without bail and set his arraignment for August 31.

Text Messages Detail the Final Hours Before the Killing

Prosecutors established that the pair argued via text the night before her death concerning Burke’s relationship with another woman. According to testimony read into the court record, Rivas Hernandez sent an angry, profane message stating she would tell her father lies about him and i will end ur career and ur life.

On April 23, 2025, Burke arranged an Uber rideshare car to pick up the teenager from her home in the Inland Empire. As she approached his Hollywood Hills home shortly after 10 a.m., she sent her final message: girly pop i’m almost there open ur door if ur home.

DNA Evidence and Garage Forensics Presented in Court

The prosecution’s case relied heavily on forensic analysis from Burke’s rented Hollywood Hills home and the vehicle where the victim’s remains were ultimately discovered.

Singer d4vd to Stand Trial for Murder and Child Sexual Abuse Charges

Investigators stated that Burke had used aliases to purchase tools online, including chain saws, a shovel, body bags, heavy-duty laundry bags, and the inflatable pool, which prosecutors allege he used to prevent blood from staining the garage floor during the dismemberment. The teenager’s decomposing and mutilated remains were eventually found in September, packed inside two bags within the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke that had been towed to a Hollywood lot after sitting abandoned for months.

Arguments Over Financial Motive and Defense Strategy

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman outlined special circumstance allegations for the murder charge, including lying in wait, financial gain, and murdering a witness in an investigation. Prosecutors argued that the financial motive stemmed from Burke’s efforts to protect a lucrative music career—supported by the district attorney’s office stating that the singer’s career was being threatened by his alleged relationship with an underage girl. Testimony also revealed that Rivas Hernandez had undergone an abortion in 2024 at age 13 after becoming pregnant.

Defense attorneys contested the prosecution’s interpretation of events, arguing that the evidence failed to prove premeditated intent.

Next Steps in the Judicial Process

Outside the courthouse, District Attorney Hochman described the killing as horrific and barbaric, telling reporters, We will eventually prove [Burke’s guilt] beyond a reasonable doubt. Hochman added that his office is actively weighing whether to seek the death penalty. With the preliminary hearing concluded, Burke is scheduled to appear for his formal arraignment on August 31, where a trial date will be determined.