Judge Orders Singer D4vd to Stand Trial Over Killing of 14-Year-Old Celeste Rivas Hernandez

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has ruled that there is sufficient evidence for singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, to stand trial over the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The decision follows a five-day preliminary hearing during which prosecutors outlined what they described as extensive forensic, digital and witness evidence linking the 21-year-old musician to the teenager’s death.

Judge Marlene A. Bledsoe determined that prosecutors had presented enough evidence for a jury to consider charges including first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has consistently denied responsibility through his legal team.

According to prosecutors, Burke allegedly began communicating with Celeste when she was 11 years old, with the relationship later becoming sexual when she was 13. They allege he killed the teenager in April 2025 after she threatened to expose their relationship, fearing it would destroy his rapidly rising music career. Prosecutors argue the alleged motive included financial gain and the silencing of a potential witness.

Investigators told the court they uncovered a substantial body of evidence, including DNA recovered from Burke’s Hollywood Hills residence, text messages, internet purchase records for chainsaws and cleaning materials, and explicit images allegedly found on his electronic devices. Prosecutors also alleged that Celeste’s remains were dismembered before being placed inside the trunk of Burke’s Tesla, where they were discovered months later after the vehicle was impounded.

Medical experts testified during the hearing that Celeste died from penetrating wounds to the torso. Although the advanced decomposition of her body complicated the examination, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide. The prosecution argued that the medical findings were consistent with the evidence gathered during the investigation.

Burke’s defence team challenged the prosecution’s case, arguing there is no direct evidence proving he intentionally killed the teenager. Defence lawyers maintained that the state’s evidence is circumstantial and said the full trial would demonstrate their client’s innocence. The judge, however, ruled that the prosecution had met the legal threshold required for the case to proceed before a jury.

Following the ruling, relatives of Celeste Rivas Hernandez expressed relief that the case will move forward. Their attorney said the family believes the court’s decision is an important step toward justice after months of waiting for the legal process to unfold.

Burke remains in custody without bail and is scheduled to be arraigned on 31 August. Prosecutors are still considering whether to seek the death penalty, though no final decision has been announced. If convicted of the most serious charges, Burke could face life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or capital punishment, depending on the prosecution’s final decision and the outcome of the trial.