A judge is scheduled to begin hearing evidence Tuesday in Los Angeles to determine if there is enough probable cause to put singer David Burke, known as D4vd, on trial for the alleged killing and dismemberment of a 14-year-old girl.
Burke, 21, faces charges of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains in connection with the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Prosecutors allege that Burke stabbed Rivas Hernandez multiple times and dismembered her body in his rented Hollywood Hills garage using chain saws.
Burke pleaded not guilty to the charges. His attorney, Blair Berk, has stated that Burke is not responsible for Rivas Hernandez's death. Burke has been held without bail since his arrest in April.
The hearing, expected to last about four days, will not include a jury. Judge Charlaine Olmedo will review the evidence presented by the prosecution to establish probable cause for a trial. This will be the first public presentation of the evidence against Burke. Cameras will not be permitted in the courtroom.
Prosecutors claim Burke met Rivas Hernandez when she was 11 and began sexually abusing her when she was 13, while he was 18. The alleged abuse and killing occurred when Rivas Hernandez threatened to expose their relationship. According to a court filing, Burke sent a car to pick up Rivas Hernandez from her hometown of Lake Elsinore, California, on April 23, 2025. They exchanged messages until her arrival at his Hollywood home, after which her phone reportedly went dead.
"Knowing he had to silence the victim before she ruined his music career as she had threatened, very soon after her arrival at his home, defendant stabbed the victim to death multiple times and stood by while she bled out," the document stated.
Prosecutors allege they have evidence showing Burke ordered chain saws and wading pools used to dismember Rivas Hernandez's body in his garage, where her DNA was found on blood stains discovered during a police search warrant. They further claim Burke transported the body in the trunk of his Tesla for months. Her decomposing remains were found in September in the Tesla registered to Burke, which had been towed from the Hollywood Hills. Surveillance video is expected to show Burke was the last person to drive the car, which was parked near his residence.
The delay in Burke's arrest is attributed to uncooperative witnesses who needed to be subpoenaed and the release of the final autopsy report in December, confirming she had been stabbed.
Rivas Hernandez had been reported missing multiple times in the years preceding her death. Prosecutors stated they have evidence of her spending extended periods with Burke, including a trip to Texas where she met his family. Detectives had previously contacted Burke about Rivas Hernandez, but he allegedly claimed to have met her only once and did not know she was a minor. Prosecutors assert they possess text messages and photos exchanged between the two.
Burke, who began his music career creating songs for Fortnite videos as a teenager, gained popularity through platforms like TikTok and SoundCloud. His song "Romantic Homicide" has garnered over a billion streams. He released two EPs in 2023 and opened for SZA on tour, performing at the Coachella music festival just weeks before Rivas Hernandez's alleged murder. His album was released around the same time, and he was promoting it when the body was discovered five months later.