Singer D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, is accused of murdering 17-year-old Celeste Rivas, with gruesome details of the alleged crime emerging during a preliminary hearing this week. Prosecutors presented evidence suggesting Rivas was stabbed and left to bleed to death in April 2025, after being lured from her home to Burke's Hollywood Hills residence.
During the hearing, Los Angeles Police Department criminalists testified about the condition of Rivas' clothing found with her body in Burke's Tesla. LAPD criminalist Lisa Lahendro described photographs of the victim's attire, including a Victoria's Secret thong, leggings, and a Forever 21 tube top, as "heavily soiled and had numerous insects." Lahendro noted the clothing had a strong odor and was in poor condition, and also appeared wet.
Detectives later reportedly discovered black fabric in a trash bag in Burke's garage that matched Rivas' clothing. Another criminalist, Chelsea Murillo, testified that a strong odor resembling a decomposing corpse emanated from the Tesla where Rivas' body was found, even after the body had been removed. Murillo also stated that at least 11 air fresheners were found in the vehicle, some located in the center console and trunk.
Dismemberment and Discovery
The court was shown images of Rivas' body, which had been decapitated and dismembered. LAPD homicide detectives described finding a partially unzipped body bag in the Tesla's trunk containing a head and torso, with extremities missing at the time. Forensic examination of Burke's Hollywood Hills mansion reportedly found evidence of blood on the garage floor.
Burke faces charges of first-degree murder with special circumstances, including lying in wait, murder of a witness, 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.
According to legal documents, Burke allegedly used an Uber to transport Rivas from her family home in Lake Elsinore to his residence on the night of April 23, 2025. Prosecutors stated he then stabbed her and allowed her to bleed to death.
Financial Records
Testimony also revealed that Burke continued to profit from his record deal with Interscope Records in the months following Rivas' alleged murder. Lewis Poimiroo, senior vice president of finance for Interscope Records, testified that Burke earned $2.77 million in 2025. The preliminary hearing, expected to last several days, will determine if Burke will face a trial.