Editor's note: This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing.
The 21-year-old musician known as D4vd will go to trial over the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
After a five-day preliminary hearing, on July 27 Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo ruled that there is enough evidence to take the murder case to trial. The singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, is charged with first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
He has pleaded not guilty to the criminal counts and remains jailed without bail.
Citing the Los Angeles Police Department's investigation, prosecutors have said Burke and Rivas Hernandez
started texting in August 2022, when the singer was 17 and Rivas Hernandez was 11, and began a sexual relationship in November 2023, when she was 13 and Burke was 18.
Los Angeles Police Department Detective Corey Ferrel reportedly said during his preliminary hearing testimony that in early text messages between Rivas Hernandez and Burke, the then-11-year-old said she was at least 16. After Rivas Hernandez's family reported she was missing, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department told Burke in a February 2024 call that she was 13. But Burke "continued to pursue her," prosecutors said in their April 29, 2026, filing.
They appeared to have ended their relationship in November 2024, though text messages "suggest they also continued to have sexual relations," prosecutors wrote.
D4vd accused of killing Celeste Rivas Hernandez after she threatened his career
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office claims that Burke killed Rivas Hernandez when she threatened to expose their relationship and damage his career days before his debut album released on April 25, 2025.
In texts exchanged on April 22, 2025, and entered into evidence, the two argued over Burke's relationship with another woman, with Rivas Hernandez allegedly sending messages that included, "I swear to GOD I will kill u" and "i will end ur career and ur life I will damage anything," according to the Los Angeles Times.
Her remains were found on Sept. 8 inside the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke, which had been impounded in a Los Angeles tow yard for several days. Authorities believe she was killed five months prior, on April 23.
Burke killed Rivas Hernandez, dismembered her in his garage and took additional steps to remove a tattoo of his name in the process, prosecutors allege, citing blood evidence and DNA analysis. When police executed a search warrant of his home on Sept. 17, 2025, law enforcement allegedly found Rivas Hernandez's "genetic profile" in his garage.
Rivas Hernandez died from "two penetrating wounds" to her right abdomen and left chest, the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner announced on April 22, 2026.
Timeline of Celeste Rivas Hernandez's killing, according to prosecutors
In their April 29 court filing, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office laid out alleged details of the hours leading up to the teen's death on April 23, 2025.
- Approximately 8:40 p.m.: Burke sent an Uber to pick up Rivas Hernandez from her family's home in Elsinore to his Hollywood Hills home.
- Around 10:10 p.m.: Rivas Hernandez is dropped off, and Burke texts her "gate open door unlocked," according to testimony given during the preliminary hearing.
- Approximately 10:30 p.m.: Burke sends text messages asking where Rivas Hernandez is, and the teen does not respond. Prosecutors characterize Burke's messages as part of a "premeditated plan to cover up the murder, as she was already dead by this time."
- Approximately 11:30 p.m.: Burke starts driving away from his home while texting and calling Rivas Hernandez, asking where she is. He drives near Lake Cachuma in Santa Barbara County, allegedly to dispose of evidence in the crime. On Jan. 17, 2026, Rivas Hernandez's passport was found on Highway 152.
- Early morning of April 24: Burke returns home before going to a radio interview. He sends two more texts to Rivas Hernandez, and does not attempt to contact her again after April 26.
- April 24-July 7: Burks buys supplies to conceal evidence of Rivas Hernandez's death.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Singer D4vd will go to trial in murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, 14
