Key facts
- US musician D4vd, legally David Anthony Burke, will face trial for murder.
- The charges stem from the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose dismembered remains were found in a Tesla registered to Burke.
- Prosecutors allege Burke murdered Hernandez to prevent her from exposing their relationship and damaging his music career.
- Evidence presented included text messages from Hernandez threatening to reveal information about their relationship.
- A judge found probable cause for trial on charges of murder with special circumstances, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
A judge has ruled that US musician D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, will proceed to trial for murder and other charges related to the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The ruling followed a five-day preliminary hearing in Los Angeles where prosecutors presented evidence, including text messages from Hernandez threatening to expose their relationship and career.
Prosecutors allege that Burke, 21, stabbed the teen and dismembered her body after years of alleged sexual abuse. They contend the murder was premeditated, intended to prevent Hernandez from revealing their relationship and destroying his music career. Evidence presented included threats made by Hernandez on April 22, 2025, and texts indicating she went to Burke's Hollywood home via an Uber he sent on April 23, 2025, the day she was last seen alive.
Burke's defense lawyers argued that there was insufficient evidence, highlighting that the teen had misrepresented her age and that her parents were aware of the relationship, even consenting to her travel with Burke. They also pointed to the medical examiner's inability to definitively prove the cause of the wounds and the lack of surveillance footage placing Burke at home on the night of April 23.
Despite the defense's arguments, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo found probable cause for trial on all counts, including murder with special circumstances such as lying in wait, motive for financial gain, and witness elimination. Burke has pleaded not guilty to the charges of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. His arraignment is scheduled for August 31, with the trial expected to begin within 90 days.