Summary: Prosecutors allege that musician David Anthony Burke (d4vd) killed and dismembered 14‑year‑old Celeste Rivas Hernandez; Burke has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges including first‑degree murder and continuous sexual abuse of a child. Evidence shown at a preliminary hearing includes photos, text messages, alleged purchases made under an alias (chainsaws, trash bags, a burn box), DNA testing, and cellphone/Tesla location records. Celeste’s dismembered body was found in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke; a judge will decide whether the case goes to trial.
Timeline: d4vd (David Anthony Burke) Faces Possible Trial in Death of Teenager Celeste Rivas Hernandez
The 21-year-old singer was arrested in April on suspicion of killing Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were found in his Tesla in September. - Getty Images
Editor’s note: This story contains disturbing details about a deceased minor.
A makeshift memorial with flowers, candles and stuffed toys honors Celeste Rivas Hernandez near her home in Lake Elsinore, California. - Arafat Barbakh/Reuters
Prosecutors have presented evidence alleging that musician David Anthony Burke, known professionally as d4vd, killed and dismembered 14-year-old runaway Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Burke, 21, has pleaded not guilty to first‑degree murder with special circumstances, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and mutilation of human remains. A judge is now deciding whether the case should proceed to trial.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez poses in an undated photo provided by the attorney representing the teen's family. - Rivas Hernandez family
Case Overview
Authorities and prosecutors say the relationship between Burke and Celeste began years before her death. Court filings allege they first met in 2022 when Celeste was 11, and that a sexual relationship began in November 2023, when Burke was 18 and Celeste 13. Burke has denied the charges through a not-guilty plea; the allegations remain unproven in court.
Singer d4vd performs at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 18, 2025, in Indio, California. - Scott Dudelson/Getty Images for Coachella
Key Events And Timeline
Late 2023–Early 2024: Prosecutors say the pair were publicly connected on social media and in-person. In January 2024 they appeared together on a Twitch livestream. Photographs later circulated showing Burke near Celeste’s home in Lake Elsinore, California.
A still from avideo published by the California Postshows police take d4vd into custody. - California Post
Early 2024: Celeste was reported missing three separate times: mid-February, around March 19, and on April 5, according to law enforcement logs and missing-person posters. She briefly returned home after the first report, according to family acquaintances and contemporaneous reporting.
Singer d4vd sits in court as evidence is shown during a preliminary hearing Tuesday. - Mona Edwards
Late 2024–Early 2025: Prosecutors say photos found on a digital camera in a home rented by Burke show Celeste and Burke together in late December 2024 and early January 2025. Burke later shared some images from the camera on his social account.
Photos displayed in court Tuesday show items prosecutors say d4vd bought online under an alias, including two chainsaws, an inflatable pool, heavy duty laundry bags and a burn box. - Mona Edwards
Alleged Dispute and Death: Prosecutors allege an argument occurred after Celeste became upset about Burke’s relationships with other people. Text messages presented in court reportedly show Celeste threatening to disclose damaging information; prosecutors say she was killed the night of that dispute. The following day Burke reportedly attended an album release event and continued touring.
Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman speaks in front of the court during the preliminary hearing Tuesday. - Mona Edwards
Discovery Of The Body
A day after what would have been Celeste’s 15th birthday, her dismembered and heavily decomposed remains were found in the front trunk ("frunk") of a Tesla registered to Burke at a Hollywood tow yard. A tow yard employee alerted police after noticing a foul odor coming from the vehicle. No official cause of death has been released publicly; the autopsy results were sealed at the LAPD's request.
LA County Sheriff's Deputy Juan Gonzalez testifies Tuesday about the search of d4vd's West Hollywood home during a welfare check in February 2024, after Celeste was first reported missing. - Mona Edwards
Evidence Presented So Far
At a preliminary hearing, prosecutors introduced a range of evidence they say links Burke to Celeste and to the disposal of her remains. Items and evidence described in court include:
A forensic criminalist talks about items found in d4vd's Tesla, where investigators found Celeste Rivas Hernandez's body after the car was moved to a Hollywood tow lot. - Mona Edwards
- Text messages and photos involving Celeste and Burke.
- Items allegedly purchased under an alias—prosecutors noted chainsaws, heavy-duty trash bags, an inflatable pool and an unused burn box among the purchases.
- Forensic evidence: preliminary testing that indicated possible blood on vehicle and household items; DNA testing that prosecutors say shows a high probability that some samples came from Celeste (defense has raised questions about persistence and secondary transfer).
- Cellphone and Tesla modem records prosecutors say show trips to Santa Barbara County and at least one call to Celeste’s number on the night they allege she was killed.
- Photographs of Celeste's remains shown in court as part of evidentiary presentations.
Other Developments
Investigators recovered Celeste’s passport card in January 2026 on the side of a highway above Santa Barbara—more than 85 miles from Burke’s West Hollywood residence. Detectives searched the area but reported finding no additional material evidence. A grand jury had been convened to investigate the circumstances of Celeste’s death; court filings identified Burke as a target of that probe.
Singer d4vd sits in court listening to testimony during the third day of the preliminary hearing. - Mona Edwards
When Celeste’s remains were identified in September 2025, Burke was on a world tour promoting his debut album Withered. He canceled the final U.S. dates and the European leg of the tour after the discovery and ensuing media attention.
Court Process And What’s Next
A preliminary hearing has been underway to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to bind the case over for trial. The hearing typically presents a lower burden of proof than a criminal trial and lasts several days; prosecutors expect more than 10 witnesses, including forensic experts, law enforcement and a medical examiner. As testimony continues, the judge will decide whether the charges should proceed to trial.
Note on Reporting: This article summarizes allegations and evidence presented by prosecutors and described in court. Burke has pleaded not guilty and the allegations have not been proven at trial.
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