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Man Charged Murdering 14-Year-Old, Body in Tesla

4/29/2026

Summary

Burke Charged Murder

David Anthony Burke was charged with first-degree murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Police discovered her body, cut into pieces and placed in two bags in the trunk of Burke’s Tesla on September 8, 2025.
Prosecutors say Hernandez visited Burke’s Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025 and was killed that night.
District Attorney Beth Silverman said seized devices held child pornography; defense lawyer Blair Berk demanded disclosure, claiming the evidence will clear Burke.

Summary

Judge Orders Haircut

A judge ordered the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to give Burke a haircut before the May 1 hearing.
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said the seven-month gap between the April 23, 2025 murder and the September 2025 discovery degraded key evidence.
Detectives served 54 sealed search warrants during the investigation, court records show.

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Burke Charged Murder

David Anthony Burke was charged with first-degree murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Police discovered her body, cut into pieces and placed in two bags in the trunk of Burke’s Tesla on September 8, 2025.
Prosecutors say Hernandez visited Burke’s Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025 and was killed that night.
District Attorney Beth Silverman said seized devices held child pornography; defense lawyer Blair Berk demanded disclosure, claiming the evidence will clear Burke.

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