Full Breakdown
Murder Allegations Against Singer David “D4vd” Burke
7/28/2026, 11:14:32 PM
Allegations and Court Proceedings
Prosecutors allege that 21-year-old David Burke, known as the pop-rapper “D4vd,” stabbed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez and dismembered her with a chainsaw after she arrived at his Hollywood Hills home. The preliminary hearing, now in its final day, will determine whether a trial will be set on charges of murder, sexual abuse of a child under 14, and mutilation of a body. Burke has pleaded not guilty; his lawyers maintain he did not cause her death. He is scheduled to return to court in August for an arraignment, and prosecutors have not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty, which is currently under a California moratorium.
Relationship Background
Both families were aware of the relationship. Detectives testified that a permission slip signed by Celeste’s parents allowed her to travel to London with Burke, and that her parents had previously taken steps to separate the two, including confiscating her phone and contacting police when she ran away. Text messages show Celeste repeatedly misrepresented her age, claiming to be 16 or 18, while Burke was 21. The defense highlighted that no witnesses or cameras captured her entering the house, and that the parents of both parties attended the same church.
Evidence Presented
Detective Corey Farrell read a series of texts obtained via warrants that end with Celeste’s phone going silent after she arrived. DNA from blood-stained samples in Burke’s garage matched the victim, and fragments of a kiddie-pool plastic were found embedded in the remains recovered from Burke’s abandoned Tesla months later. Prosecutors also displayed sexually explicit photos and a tattoo of “David” on Celeste’s finger, one of two that were cut off when the body was discovered.
Official Statements
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said the case reflects a “vicious murder” that will dominate Burke’s public image. Detective Farrell noted that both parents knew about the relationship and that the early texts indicated Celeste had threatened to expose Burke.
Verbatim Quotes
- “D4vd allegedly squandered his fame and fortune by brutally killing a young girl because he feared their illicit sexual relationship would ruin his aspiring career,” — Los Angeles County District
