Singer D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, has been ordered to stand trial on charges of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. The ruling came Monday after a five-day preliminary hearing in Los Angeles, where prosecutors presented evidence that the 21-year-old singer killed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez to prevent her from exposing their relationship.
Preliminary Hearing Outcome
Judge Charlaine Olmedo found that prosecutors had established probable cause on all counts. "The people have met their burden on all counts," Olmedo said, ordering Burke to remain in custody without bail. Burke, who has pleaded not guilty, showed no visible reaction as the ruling was delivered. Olmedo noted that the probable cause standard is lower than the burden of proof at trial, but prosecutors maintained the evidence was overwhelming.
Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman stated, "Based on the mountains of evidence presented, all of the allegations have been proved way beyond the standard required." Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said prosecutors are still considering whether to seek the death penalty. Burke is scheduled to be arraigned on August 31.
Prosecution's Evidence
Prosecutors reconstructed the final hours of Rivas Hernandez's life, alleging that her phone stopped transmitting shortly after she arrived at Burke's Hollywood home on April 23, 2025. She traveled in an Uber arranged by Burke and sent a final text: "girly pop i'm almost there open ur door if ur home." They allege Burke fatally stabbed the teenager after she entered the house.
According to prosecutors, the pair had argued over text messages the previous night about Burke's relationship with another woman. Rivas Hernandez allegedly threatened to expose him, writing that she would tell her father "so many lies" about Burke and "i will end ur career and ur life." Prosecutors said Burke met Rivas Hernandez when she was 11 and began sexually abusing her when she was 13, while he was 18. They allege he killed her after she threatened to report the relationship, then dismembered her body in his garage using chainsaws.
Prosecutors presented records showing Burke purchased chainsaws and plastic wading pools allegedly used in the dismemberment. DNA matching Rivas Hernandez was found on bloodstains recovered from the garage. They further alleged that Burke kept the body in the trunk of a Tesla registered in his name for several months before it was discovered after the vehicle was towed from the Hollywood Hills in September 2025. Surveillance footage is expected to show Burke as the last person to drive the vehicle.
Defense Arguments
The defense argued insufficient evidence to support a murder charge. "There's no evidence that Mr. Burke harbored a deliberate intent to kill Miss Hernandez," defense attorney Marilyn Bednarski said. She argued that communications showed "no threat, no evidence of a history of violence" and that he had "the opposite of homicidal malice." The defense challenged the medical examiner's finding that Rivas Hernandez died from two puncture wounds, calling it inconclusive to establish murder.
Defense lawyers presented text messages in which Rivas Hernandez allegedly threatened to expose their relationship, contact his mother and friends, and "leak" information. During cross-examination, Detective Farrell acknowledged no indication that Rivas Hernandez had threatened to report Burke to police or pursue legal action. The defense also noted she had repeatedly asked to visit Burke in the days before her death.
Prosecutor Silverman rejected those arguments, telling the court that "the defense tried numerous times throughout these proceedings to dirty up the victim" despite her being a child. Farrell also testified that both Burke's and Rivas Hernandez's parents were aware of the relationship, that Burke had attended church with her family, and that her parents consented to the pair traveling to London together for a week.
Additional Evidence
Prosecutors alleged Burke attempted to cover up the killing by sending messages from Rivas Hernandez's phone after her death, asking where she was and expressing concern for her welfare. Investigators testified that DNA from apparent bloodstains in Burke's garage matched Rivas Hernandez. Farrell also described sexually explicit photographs and years of text messages documenting the relationship, as well as evidence that she became pregnant in 2024 at age 13 and underwent an abortion. The graphic material caused Rivas Hernandez's mother to leave the courtroom in tears during Friday's proceedings.
Burke remains in custody without bail. The trial is expected to proceed later this year.
