Prosecutors Detail Allegations Against D4vd in Killing of 14-Year-Old Celeste Rivas Hernandez
Los Angeles prosecutors have laid out a detailed and graphic account of the case against D4vd, alleging the 21-year-old artist murdered 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez and later dismembered her body in an attempt to conceal the crime.
The allegations are outlined in a nine-page preliminary hearing brief filed ahead of an upcoming court proceeding and publicly released over the defense's objections. In the filing, prosecutors claim the singer, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, stabbed the teenager to death inside his Hollywood Hills rental home on April 23, 2025, shortly after she arrived there.
According to the document, Rivas had been transported to Burke’s residence via an Uber ride that evening. Prosecutors allege that within a short period of time after her arrival, Burke killed her by stabbing her multiple times. They further claim that he attempted to create an alibi by sending text messages to her phone after her death, asking about her whereabouts.
“The people contend this was part of defendant’s premeditated plan to cover up the murder,” the filing states, asserting that the messages were intended to mislead investigators.
Prosecutors also allege that Burke later disposed of Rivas’ personal belongings in Santa Barbara County, making multiple trips to the area in the days following her death. He is accused of returning home the next morning and resuming normal activities, including attending a scheduled radio interview.
The filing further claims that in early May 2025, Burke purchased a series of items, including chainsaws, a body bag, heavy-duty bags, and a blue inflatable pool, using a false name. Prosecutors allege these materials were used to dismember the victim’s body in his garage. They say the inflatable pool was used to contain biological evidence during the process.
Investigators later recovered fragments of blue plastic embedded in the remains that were allegedly matched to the pool, according to the filing. Authorities also claim that blood evidence found in the garage was consistent with Rivas’ genetic profile.
Prosecutors allege the remains were ultimately placed in the front trunk of Burke’s Tesla, where they remained for weeks or months as decomposition progressed. Surveillance footage cited in the filing reportedly shows Burke parking the vehicle near his residence before leaving on tour. The car was eventually towed and impounded, and the remains were discovered on September 8, 2025.
The filing also outlines a prior relationship between Burke and Rivas. Prosecutors allege the two first met when she was 11 years old and that a sexual relationship began when she was 13. They claim Burke continued contact with her despite being informed by law enforcement of her age. Text messages cited in the filing allegedly reference topics including sex, pregnancy, and contraception.
According to prosecutors, the relationship deteriorated in late 2024, but the two continued communicating. On the night before her death, they allegedly engaged in a prolonged argument, during which Rivas threatened to expose the relationship publicly. Prosecutors contend this threat provided a motive for the killing.
“Burke’s actions did not allegedly stop there,” Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said at a press conference. “When she threatened to expose his criminal conduct and devastate his musical career, Burke allegedly murdered her, cut up her body, and placed her remains in his vehicle.”
Burke has been charged with first-degree murder, along with additional counts including continuous sexual abuse of a minor and unlawful mutilation of human remains. Special circumstance allegations, including murder of a witness, financial gain, and lying in wait, could make him eligible for the death penalty if convicted. However, prosecutors have not yet announced whether they will pursue that penalty.
At a court hearing, Burke appeared in custody as his attorneys argued the release of the prosecution’s filing could prejudice potential jurors. Judge Charlaine Olmedo denied a request to seal the document but agreed to delay the preliminary hearing until May 26.
Prosecutors have indicated that evidence obtained from Burke’s iCloud account includes what they described as “a significant amount of child pornography.” Authorities have also cited a large volume of additional evidence, including material gathered through wiretaps and grand jury investigations.
An autopsy report released earlier concluded that Rivas died from multiple stab wounds to the upper body, with the manner of death ruled a homicide.
Burke has pleaded not guilty. His attorneys have stated that he “did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez.”
