D4vd Faces Trial for Murder of 14‑Year‑Old Teen
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo ruled that evidence observed at a preliminary hearing provided probable cause for a criminal trial. The case involves 21‑year‑old pop singer David Anthony Burke—known commercially as D4vd—who is charged with murdering 14‑year‑old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, sexually abusing her before death, and mutilating her body.
Prosecutors presented graphic photographs of the dismembered corpse in court, as well as text messages from April showing threats from Hernandez that she feared Burke would expose their relationship. Witnesses testified that Burke ordered chainsaws, a shovel, a body bag and an inflatable pool online following Hernandez’s death. The defendant’s lawyer decried the absence of DNA on the chainsaws and the failure to locate a 10‑inch Makita model cited by prosecutors.
Defence counsel highlighted that Hernandez had misrepresented her age to Burke and that her parents had given written consent for her travel to London with the singer. They argued the prosecution’s evidence lacked concrete proof that Burke actually killed and dismembered her; surveillance footage did not capture him at the house on the night of April 23.
Judge Olmedo found that prosecutors met the burden for murder with special circumstances, including lying in wait, motive for financial gain and elimination of a witness. Burke will face charges on August 31, with the trial scheduled to begin within 90 days. Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said the office would present the full evidence in the upcoming trial and had not yet decided whether to pursue a death sentence.
