Singer D4vd to Face Trial for Murder and Dismemberment

A Los Angeles judge has ruled that there is enough evidence to try singer D4vd, also known as David Burke, for the murder and dismemberment of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Authorities claim she threatened to reveal their relationship, risking his career. Los Angeles Judge Charlaine Olmedo found that prosecutors presented probable cause at a preliminary hearing lasting five days, supporting charges of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a minor under 14, and illegal dismemberment.

The prosecution has met its burden on all charges, stated Olmedo. The judge ruled that Burke remain in custody without bail. The 21-year-old singer, whose career was on the rise before the allegations emerged, pleaded not guilty and showed no emotion when the judge issued the ruling. His defense attorneys declined to comment outside the court.

Olmedo emphasized that the probable cause standard in such preliminary hearings is much lower than that required in a trial. However, prosecutors argued that the evidence was overwhelming. Based on the mountains of evidence presented, said Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman, all allegations have been proven well above the required standard. District Attorney Nathan Hochman noted outside the court that they are still evaluating whether to seek the death penalty. Burke’s arraignment is scheduled for August 31.

Prosecutors concluded their case by detailing the final night of Rivas Hernandez. After a series of text exchanges with Burke, her phone went silent permanently upon arriving home. As she neared her Hollywood residence on an Uber sent by Burke just after 10 AM on April 23, 2025, she texted: Almost there; open the door if you’re home. Prosecutors allege that Burke stabbed her upon entering.

The previous night saw both arguing via text over Burke’s relationship with another woman. She sent a furious message threatening to end his career and life, prosecutors said. Burke met Rivas Hernandez when she was 11 and began abusing her when she was 13, leading to the stabbing after her threat to expose him. Prosecutors claim Burke ordered chainsaws and kiddie pools used to dismember her body, finding his DNA in blood stains in his garage during a search.

Afterwards, Burke allegedly drove around with her body in the trunk for weeks or months. Her decomposing remains were found in a Tesla registered to Burke, towed from Hollywood Hills over four months later. The car was parked around the corner from his home, with surveillance footage purportedly showing him as the last person to drive it. The defense argues insufficient murder evidence exists.

Defense lawyer Marilyn Bednarski pointed to lack of proof that Burke intentionally planned to kill Hernandez, citing text messages not displaying threats or a violent history, and claiming he bore no homicidal malice towards her. The defense presented no alternate theory for her death, nor are they required to.

Further text messages from Hernandez included threats to reveal their relationship to others. Under cross-examination, Detective Farrell admitted not seeing signs she threatened to go to police. Farrell also testified that both sets of parents knew of the relationship, with Burke attending church with her family and her parents consenting to a trip to London together.

Prosecutors argue Burke covered up the murder swiftly. Although he sent messages appearing concerned for her safety after her phone went silent, prosecutors claim these were deceitful following the murder. An analyst testified that bloodstain DNA from Burke’s garage matched Hernandez. Her body was discovered nearly five months later in Burke’s Tesla.

Farrell recounted sexually explicit photos and years of text messages between Burke and Hernandez, including a conversation about her abortion in 2024 at age 13 after becoming pregnant, leading to emotional reactions from her family in court.

At the time of Hernandez’s death, D4vd (pronounced David) was a rising internet music phenomenon, mixing indie rock, R&B, and pop lo-fi. He boasted large followings on TikTok, Soundcloud, and Spotify. In 2024, he performed at Coachella and released his debut album, Withered, shortly after Hernandez’s alleged murder.