Singer David Burke, professionally known as D4vd, allegedly continued to profit from his music deals in the months following the murder of Celeste Rivas, according to financial records presented in court.
Burke is accused of killing Rivas in April 2025, allegedly stabbing her to death in his Hollywood home and dismembering her body. During a preliminary hearing on Wednesday, Lewis Poimiroo, senior vice president of finance for Interscope, testified about Burke's earnings from his record deal. According to Poimiroo, Burke's various LLCs for merchandising and publishing generated substantial income, with reported earnings of $950,000 in 2022, $3.869 million in 2023, $186,000 in 2024, and $2.77 million in 2025.
Prosecutors allege that Burke ordered an Uber to transport Rivas from her family home in Lake Elsinore to his Hollywood Hills residence on the night of April 23, 2025. They claim he then stabbed her and allowed her to bleed to death. He is also accused of purchasing a saw online to dismember her body.
Evidence Presented in Court
Detective Joshua Byers, one of the first officers on the scene, described the condition of Rivas' remains, which were discovered in Burke's Tesla at a Hollywood tow lot. "There were maggots, there were flies," Byers testified. "I don’t know how to describe the other liquid matter." Photos shown in court depicted Rivas' dismembered body, including arms and legs in a trash bag and a head and torso in a body bag.
Benjamin Greger, a member of Burke's management team, also testified, revealing that Burke had purchased plane tickets for himself and Rivas to travel to London and Texas. The prosecution further alleged that a security guard drove the pair to clubs, where Rivas reportedly used a fake identification.
Charges and Proceedings
Burke faces charges including first-degree murder with special circumstances such as lying in wait, murder of a witness to an investigation, and murder for financial gain. He is also charged with lewd and lascivious sexual acts with an individual under 14 years old and mutilating human remains.
Rivas' parents attended the preliminary hearing, sitting near Burke as evidence was presented. Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman, who was present, stated outside the courthouse that the death penalty remains a possibility in the case.
The preliminary hearing, which began Tuesday, is expected to last three to five days and will determine whether Burke will proceed to trial, potentially next year. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman spoke with reporters outside the courthouse following Tuesday's hearing. IMAGE1
Celeste Rivas' parents, Jesus Rivas and Mercedes Martinez, attended the court hearing. IMAGE3 IMAGE4 IMAGE9 IMAGE12