Prosecutors in the murder case of musician D4vd, whose full name is David Anthony Burke, revealed that 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was not pregnant when she was killed in April 2025, according to reports from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office. This update comes as Burke faces charges including murder, child sex abuse, and mutilation in connection with Rivas Hernandez's death.
David Burke, 21, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Prosecutors allege that he murdered Rivas Hernandez because he feared their relationship would jeopardize his burgeoning music career. The Los Angeles Police Department presented text messages and phone records during a preliminary hearing that alluded to a 2023 pregnancy and a subsequent abortion in January 2024, with Rivas Hernandez reportedly telling Burke, "Of course it's yours David." However, prosecutors now state they do not believe she was pregnant at the time of her death, citing the state of her remains.
Discovery of Remains and Method of Alleged Dismemberment
Rivas Hernandez's remains were discovered on September 8, 2025, inside a Tesla registered to Burke. Prosecutors stated that the teenager was allegedly stabbed by Burke, then dismembered with a chainsaw in an inflatable pool located in a Hollywood Hills garage where he resided. Small blue plastic fragments from the pool were found embedded in the victim's remains.
Travel Consent and Parental Knowledge
Testimony during the preliminary hearing revealed that Rivas Hernandez's parents had signed a travel consent form on September 23, 2024, allowing their daughter to travel to London with D4vd from September 24 to October 5, 2024. Flight tickets for this trip, as well as a subsequent trip to Texas, were purchased by Burke. LAPD Detective Corey Farell testified that Rivas Hernandez's family was aware of her connection to the musician and that they had traveled together to Las Vegas and Houston in 2024.
Legal Proceedings and Potential Penalties
Following the preliminary hearing, Los Angeles Judge Charlaine Olmedo found sufficient evidence to proceed to trial and ordered Burke to remain in custody without bail. An arraignment is scheduled for August 31. Prosecutors presented evidence including text messages and phone records, with Detective Farell indicating that Burke's phone also contained child sexual abuse material involving Rivas Hernandez, which was not presented in court due to its graphic nature. Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman stated that the evidence presented proved the allegations "way beyond the standard required." Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman indicated that prosecutors had presented only a fraction of their evidence. Burke is eligible for the death penalty if found guilty, as the judge found probable cause for special circumstances including lying in wait, killing for financial gain, and killing a potential witness.