Singer D4vd Ordered to Stand Trial in Murder Case of 14-Year-Old Celeste Rivas Hernandez
· 3 min read ·
A Los Angeles judge has determined that singer D4vd must stand trial for the alleged killing and dismemberment of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, following a preliminary hearing that revealed disturbing evidence in the case.
On Monday, Los Angeles Judge Charlaine Olmedo concluded that sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial. "The people have met their burden on all counts," Olmedo stated, according to the Associated Press. D4vd, whose legal name is David Burke, will remain in custody without bail as the case moves forward.
Crime Scene Evidence and Prosecution Findings
The preliminary hearing commenced last Tuesday, with prosecutors presenting graphic photographs from the crime scene where Hernandez's remains were discovered in September 2025. The images reportedly showed her dismembered body parts stored in the front trunk of Burke's Tesla vehicle.
Prosecutors told the court that Burke had purchased two cadaver bags, a shovel, and three different chainsaws in the period following Hernandez's death. Additionally, nearly a dozen air fresheners were reportedly found inside the Tesla where the victim's body was located.
An LAPD criminalist testified that blood discovered inside Burke's garage was consistent with Hernandez's DNA, according to People magazine. The combination of physical evidence and purchases formed a central part of the prosecution's argument for proceeding to trial.
Text Messages and Alleged Motive
Prosecutors also presented text message exchanges between Hernandez and Burke, alleging that the two had discussed terminating a pregnancy when Hernandez was 14 years old. Messages displayed in court on Monday reportedly indicated that Hernandez had threatened to damage Burke's career prior to her death.
After the prosecution concluded its presentation, Burke's defense team opted not to call any witnesses during the preliminary hearing.
Timeline of Events and Charges
Hernandez was last seen alive on April 23, 2025, when she visited Burke's residence in the Hollywood Hills. Her body was not discovered until September 2025, when it was found in multiple bags inside the front trunk of Burke's Tesla. Authorities reported that her arms and legs had been severed and that the body had undergone significant decomposition.
The Los Angeles County medical examiner conducted an autopsy and determined that Hernandez died from multiple stab wounds. The official manner of death was classified as "homicide," with the cause listed as "multiple penetrating injuries."
Burke was arrested in April and formally charged days later with first-degree murder, a charge that could potentially make him eligible for the death penalty. He also faces additional charges for lewd acts with a child and for dismembering the victim's body. Burke has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges.
Additional Allegations Involving Digital Evidence
During an April hearing, prosecutors alleged that Burke possessed a "significant amount" of child pornography stored on his iCloud account. Beth Silverman, a deputy district attorney for Los Angeles County, informed the court that investigators had uncovered eight terabytes of data on the iCloud account but had only been able to download one terabyte at that point. Authorities also reported finding between 20 and 30 terabytes of raw data across multiple devices.
Burke appeared at that hearing wearing an orange jumpsuit and was described as "slumped" in his chair.
As this case proceeds toward trial, the evidence presented during the preliminary hearing paints a grim picture of the allegations against the singer. The combination of physical evidence, digital findings, and text message records will likely play a significant role in the proceedings. Readers following this developing story are encouraged to share this article and continue monitoring for updates as the trial date approaches.
