A Los Angeles judge has ruled that American musician D4vd will stand trial over the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez after prosecutors presented evidence during a five-day preliminary hearing.
The singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawfully mutilating human remains.
Judge Charlaine Olmedo said prosecutors had presented enough evidence for the case to move forward. Burke is due to be formally arraigned on August 31, and his trial is expected to begin within 90 days.
Prosecutors allege Burke stabbed Hernandez after she arrived at his Hollywood home on April 23, 2025. They claim he later dismembered her body and that her remains were found last September inside a Tesla registered to his address.
According to prosecutors, Burke killed the teenager because she had threatened to expose their alleged relationship and ruin his fast-growing music career. During the hearing, prosecutors read text messages Hernandez allegedly sent the day before her death. In the messages, she threatened to tell people about Burke and damage both his career and his life after an argument.
Court records showed that Burke later sent an Uber to pick Hernandez up and take her to his home. Detective Corey Farrell of the Los Angeles Police Department told the court that text messages suggested Burke and Hernandez had attended church with her family. Under questioning from the defense, Farrell also said Hernandez had told Burke she was older than she really was, claiming at different times to be 16 and 18 years old.
Burke’s lawyers argued there is not enough evidence to prove he committed the crime. They said Hernandez’s parents knew about the relationship and had even given written permission for her to travel to London with Burke for a week.
The defense also pointed to text messages showing Burke initially tried to stop Hernandez from coming to his home before eventually agreeing to send her an Uber. His lawyer, Marilyn Bednarski, said Burke continued to express love and care for Hernandez after they broke up.
The defense argued that the medical examiner could not argued this weakened the prosecution’s case. Investigators also said they have not found a third 10-inch Makita chainsaw that prosecutors believe Burke ordered after Hernandez say exactly how two wounds found on Hernandez’s body were caused. They also said there was no surveillance footage proving Burke was at home on the night she died.
During the hearing, prosecutors showed graphic images of Hernandez’s dismembered body. A homicide detective testified that Burke allegedly ordered a body bag, chainsaws, an inflatable pool and a shovel online in the days after her death. Prosecutors believe the items were used to dispose of her body.
However, forensic criminalist Lauren Wallace testified that chainsaws found in Burke’s garage tested negative for blood and were not later tested for DNA. The defense argued this weakened the prosecution’s case. Investigators also said they have not found a third 10-inch Makita chainsaw that prosecutors believe Burke ordered after Hernandez’s death.
After the hearing, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said prosecutors had presented only part of the evidence they plan to use at trial. He also said a decision has not yet been made on whether prosecutors will seek the death penalty if Burke is convicted.
Burke remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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