A judge has determined that U.S. musician D4vd will face trial for the alleged murder of a teenage girl. This ruling followed a comprehensive five-day preliminary hearing, where Los Angeles prosecutors meticulously questioned numerous witnesses and presented photographic evidence, all while the family of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez observed.
The artist, legally named David Anthony Burke, stands accused of taking the life of Hernandez, whose remains were discovered last September in a Tesla linked to his residence. At 21 years old, Burke has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and sexual abuse.
Scheduled for arraignment on August 31, Burke’s trial is set to commence within 90 days thereafter. Prosecutors assert that Burke stabbed the teenager and dismembered her body after allegedly abusing her for years. They contend that he acted out of fear that she would disclose their relationship and jeopardize his lucrative music career.
Evidence presented in court revealed threatening messages from Hernandez to Burke on April 22, 2025, stemming from disputes about his friendship with another girl. One particularly alarming text threatened violence and destruction of his career: “I swear to GOD I will kill u,” it stated, followed by a promise to damage his life and reputation.
The following day, Hernandez arrived at Burke’s Hollywood home via an Uber he arranged. Prosecutors allege that Burke attacked her upon her arrival.
During the hearing, Detective Corey Farrell of the Los Angeles Police Department indicated that text messages suggested the two had attended church together with Hernandez’s family. Responding to the defense, the detective acknowledged that Hernandez had misrepresented her age to Burke, claiming to be 16 and later 18.
Burke’s defense team argued that the evidence against him is insufficient. They pointed out that Hernandez’s parents were aware of their relationship and had even consented to her traveling to London with Burke for a week. The defense emphasized messages from April 22 and 23, which indicated that Celeste insisted on visiting Burke’s home, despite his initial objections.
Defense attorney Marilyn Bednarski stated in court that Burke expressed love and care for Hernandez following their breakup. They also highlighted the medical examiner’s inability to definitively link the two penetrating wounds found on Hernandez to Burke, as well as the absence of surveillance footage confirming his presence at home on the night of April 23.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo ruled that the evidence presented during the preliminary hearing established probable cause for a trial. Burke faces serious charges, including murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. Judge Olmedo affirmed, “The people have met their burden on all counts.”
She recognized that prosecutors met the criteria for the charge of murder with special circumstances, including lying in wait, financial motive, and the intent to eliminate a witness. Following the hearing, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated that his office had only shared a fraction of the evidence against Burke, promising a comprehensive presentation in the upcoming trial. Hochman also noted that the decision regarding the pursuit of the death penalty against Burke remains pending.
