Prosecutors in Los Angeles have begun presenting evidence in a preliminary hearing to determine if musician D4vd, born David Anthony Burke, should stand trial for the murder and sexual abuse of 13-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The hearing, which started on Tuesday, includes graphic testimony and images of the girl's dismembered body, which was found in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke at a Hollywood tow yard in September.
According to court documents, Burke allegedly stabbed Hernandez to death at his Los Angeles home last April to prevent her from revealing the sexual nature of their relationship as his music career was rising. The prosecution claims the sexual abuse began in November 2023 when Burke was 18 and Hernandez was 13. Detective Joshua Byers testified that he discovered her head and torso in a body bag, with arms and legs in a garbage bag underneath, and two fingers missing from a hand.
Prosecutors allege that Burke mutilated Hernandez's body using a chainsaw, severing her limbs and amputating her ring finger, which bore a tattoo of his name. Under the alias Trayvion Davis, he used his credit cards to purchase chainsaws, a body bag, and a shovel. Body-camera footage showed Burke telling sheriff's deputies in February 2024 that he had only met Hernandez once and believed she was 18, despite others claiming she was 13.
Burke, now 21, has been held without bail since his arrest in April and has pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder, lewd acts with a child under 14, and mutilation of human remains. If convicted, he could face the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated outside court that they would seek the maximum sentence allowed by law, but will decide later whether to pursue the death penalty.
The preliminary hearing is expected to last three to five days, following delays due to the volume of evidence. Prosecutors plan to present alleged text messages between Burke and Hernandez showing their sexual relationship and her threats to expose him, as well as surveillance footage of Burke driving the Tesla in July 2025 and forensic evidence linking bloodstains in his garage to Hernandez's DNA. Burke's defense maintains that he was not responsible for her death.
Burke rose to fame through viral TikTok songs and launched an international tour in July 2025 for his debut album Withered, which was cancelled in September after Hernandez's body was discovered. Several collaborators have since distanced themselves. Hernandez's family released a statement after Burke's arrest, describing her as a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance, and calling for justice.
