A Los Angeles judge is scheduled to begin hearing evidence against 21-year-old singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Burke, to determine whether probable cause exists to proceed to trial in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The preliminary hearing, which will last approximately four days, will be presided over by Judge Charlaine Olmedo without a jury present. Burke was arrested in April and pleaded not guilty to charges including murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under age 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
According to prosecutors’ filing, Burke met Rivas Hernandez when she was 11 years old and began sexually abusing her at age 13 when he was 18. Authorities allege he killed her after she threatened to report him to prevent damage to his music career. Prosecutors say they possess evidence including sexual text messages and photographs exchanged between the two, as well as records of trips including one to Texas where she met his family. Detectives had previously contacted Burke about the girl, but he allegedly denied knowing her and claimed they had met only once.
The prosecution contends that Burke sent a car to retrieve Rivas Hernandez from her home in Lake Elsinore on April 23, 2025, and that her phone went dead shortly after her arrival at his Hollywood Hills residence. Prosecutors assert they have records showing Burke purchased chain saws and wading pools used to dismember her body in his garage, where her DNA was found on blood stains discovered during a police search warrant. The body remained in the trunk of Burke’s Tesla for approximately four months before being discovered when the vehicle was towed from the Hollywood Hills in September.
Burke has been held without bail since his arrest and will appear in court in jail clothing after the judge rejected a request to allow him to wear a suit. His attorney, Blair Berk, has stated that Burke is not responsible for Rivas Hernandez’s death, though the defense has not publicly presented its version of events. No cameras will be permitted in the courtroom during the proceedings.
D4vd rose to prominence as a musician through social media platforms including YouTube, TikTok, and Spotify, beginning with songs created around the video game Fortnite during his teenage years. His 2022 breakthrough single “Romantic Homicide” accumulated over one billion plays across streaming platforms. He released two EPs in 2023 and opened for artist SZA on tour, performing at Coachella last year prior to the alleged incident.