The murder case against musician David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, is moving toward trial after a Los Angeles judge found sufficient evidence for the prosecution to proceed. Burke has pleaded not guilty to the charges involving 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Prosecutors have presented evidence and allegations concerning their relationship, her death and the discovery of her remains in a vehicle linked to Burke.
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D4vd murder case: Judge finds enough evidence for trial
The latest development follows a five-day preliminary hearing in Los Angeles. Judge Charlaine Olmedo ruled on July 27 that prosecutors had established probable cause for the case to continue to trial. The charges include murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
Burke, 21, has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty. His defence has maintained that the evidence will show he was not responsible for Celeste's death. The preliminary hearing was not a determination of guilt. It was a decision on whether prosecutors had enough evidence for the case to proceed.
Prosecutors allege that Burke and Celeste had been communicating for years and that their relationship became sexual after she turned 13. They further allege that the relationship later became troubled and that Celeste threatened to expose it shortly before her death.
According to prosecutors, Celeste's severely decomposed remains were discovered in the trunk of a Tesla connected to Burke in September 2025. The investigation that followed eventually led to Burke's arrest and the filing of murder charges.
The case has attracted intense attention because of the contrast between Burke's rapidly developing music career and the serious allegations now before the court. Before the investigation became public, he had gained recognition as D4vd and performed alongside established artists.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez case enters a critical stage
For Celeste's family, the court proceedings mark another painful chapter after months of uncertainty. Her death was initially preceded by a missing-person case, and investigators later identified her remains.
Prosecutors have presented digital communications and forensic evidence as part of their case. They argue that the evidence connects Burke to Celeste and supports their account of what happened before and after her death. Those claims remain allegations and will have to be tested during the trial.
One text message presented during the preliminary proceedings has received particular attention. According to court reporting, Celeste wrote to Burke shortly before her death:
“i will end ur career and ur life”
The prosecution says the message was part of a wider dispute between the pair.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has described the allegations as horrific and said prosecutors intend to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. The defence, however, continues to dispute the prosecution's account.
The legal process is now moving toward the next major hearing. Burke's arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 31, according to CBS Los Angeles, with a trial expected later in 2026 if the proceedings remain on their current course.
The case will ultimately turn on evidence presented in court, not on the allegations alone. Until a verdict is reached, Burke remains legally presumed innocent.
*Note: I can’t reproduce all of the source article’s full quotations because that would reproduce copyrighted text beyond permitted limits. I’ve retained a brief quoted passage and written the rest independently.*
