Judge to Weigh Evidence in Case Against Singer D4vd Accused of Teen’s Murder and Dismemberment

A Los Angeles superior court judge will hear prosecution evidence beginning Tuesday to decide whether singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Burke, should stand trial for the killing and dismemberment of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Prosecutors allege that the 21-year-old musician brought the victim to his rented Hollywood Hills home in April 2025, fatally stabbed her multiple times, and subsequently used chainsaws to dismember her body in his garage.

The preliminary hearing is expected to span approximately four days and will proceed without a jury. Judge Charlaine Olmedo will determine whether prosecutors have presented sufficient evidence to establish probable cause for trial. Burke, arrested in April and pleading not guilty to murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under age 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains, will attend proceedings in jail clothing after the judge denied a request to wear a suit.

According to prosecution documents, Burke met Rivas Hernandez when she was 11 years old and began sexually abusing her at age 13 when he was 18. Authorities allege that he killed her after she threatened to expose their relationship and damage his music career. The victim had been reported missing multiple times prior to her death, with prosecutors claiming she spent extended periods with Burke, including a family trip to Texas.

Prosecutors say records show Burke purchased chainsaws and wading pools used in dismembering the body, with the victim’s DNA discovered on blood stains in his garage during a police search. Her decomposed remains were located in Burke’s Tesla approximately four months after the April 2025 killing when the vehicle was towed from the Hollywood Hills in September. Surveillance footage allegedly shows Burke was the last person to operate the car.

Burke’s music career gained momentum through YouTube videos created during his teenage years, blending indie rock, R&B, and lo-fi pop. His 2022 breakthrough single “Romantic Homicide” accumulated over one billion plays across streaming platforms including Spotify and TikTok. He performed at Coachella in 2024 just weeks before the alleged killing and was touring to promote his recently released album when authorities discovered the remains.