Full story
D4vd faces murder case
A preliminary hearing began Tuesday for singer David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, as prosecutors seek to put him on trial for the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Prosecutors allege Burke killed the teenager to protect his career after she threatened to expose their illegal sexual relationship the same week his debut album, "Withered," was released, and they say he faces the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted on all counts.
FOX 11 Los Angeles reported that LAPD Robbery-Homicide Det. Josh Beyers described the severe decomposition and heavy stench of the body found inside the impounded Tesla on Sept. 8, 2025, and that fingers were severed from Rivas Hernandez's hand.
NBC Los Angeles said prosecutors played body camera video footage from February 2024 in which the singer told deputies, "She told me she was 18," and the hearing is being held before Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo to decide whether there is enough evidence for probable cause to proceed to trial.
Evidence, tattoos, and purchases
Investigators testified that they found graphic evidence and tattoos they say connect Burke and Rivas Hernandez, including a tattoo that read "shhh" on her right index finger and a matching tattoo on Burke during the hearing.
NBC Los Angeles reported that Detective Josh Byers testified, "He had a tattoo of the name 'Celeste' on his left ring finger," and described another tattoo that said "shhh" on his right hand.
Prosecutors also sought to connect the case through digital purchases, with NBC Los Angeles saying an Amazon account linked to the same email address was used to purchase two chainsaws under the alias "Travion Davis" and that a shovel and another chainsaw were delivered via Uber Postmates.
KTLA added that criminalists testified about the odor coming from Burke’s Tesla and multiple air fresheners found inside the vehicle, and it said another criminalist testified about processing evidence at Burke’s home where blood was found.
Probable cause and stakes
As the hearing continued Wednesday, prosecutors presented additional testimony they say links Burke to the killing of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, while he remained in custody without bail and pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder.
“The singer has pleaded not guilty to charges that include first-degree murder”
KTLA said Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo will decide whether prosecutors have established probable cause for the case to move forward to trial, and it noted that Burke faces life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted and is also eligible for the death penalty.
The Guardian reported that prosecutors accuse Burke of stabbing Rivas Hernandez, 14, to death at his Los Angeles residence to silence her from divulging the sexual nature of their relationship and jeopardizing his skyrocketing career, while his defense team said their client "was not the cause" of Rivas Hernandez’s death.
After court concluded on Wednesday, Patrick Steinfeld, an attorney for the Rivas Hernandez family, told reporters, "It’s a hard thing for the family. They are very private individuals and they’re doing the best they can," as the preliminary hearing was expected to last from three to five days.
