Rising music star D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, is set to appear at a preliminary hearing in Los Angeles that will determine whether he stands trial for the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The 21-year-old singer and songwriter has been charged with first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a person under 14, and mutilating a dead body. His legal team maintains his innocence, asserting that he did not cause the teenager's death.
What is the Evidence Against D4vd?
Prosecutors are expected to present evidence that the dismembered remains of Rivas Hernandez were discovered in two bags inside the trunk of a Tesla SUV registered to Burke at his parents' Houston address. The vehicle was found abandoned in the Hollywood Hills near a residence where Burke had been living. A medical examiner's report reportedly indicates the victim died from two penetrating wounds. Lead prosecutor Beth Silverman has stated that evidence includes child sexual abuse material retrieved from Burke's phone and iCloud accounts. However, the majority of the evidence remains sealed, having been gathered through more than 50 search warrants and three separate investigative grand juries.
Burke's attorneys have taken the unusual step of demanding a speedy preliminary hearing, exercising his right to have one within 10 court days of his arraignment. Lead defense attorney Blair Berk argued in court, "We believe the actual evidence will show David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez."
What is a Preliminary Hearing?
In California and many other jurisdictions, a preliminary hearing resembles a mini-trial where witnesses are called and cross-examined, and evidence is introduced. However, a judge, not a jury, decides whether probable cause exists to proceed to trial. The standard is lower than the "guilty beyond a reasonable doubt" threshold required for conviction. Prosecutors typically present only enough evidence to meet this bar, which they usually do. These hearings can last several days but are generally shorter than full trials.
Who is D4vd?
D4vd, pronounced "David," is an online alias that became Burke's stage name. He was raised and homeschooled in Houston, Texas. He began creating music for YouTube videos featuring the video game Fortnite. His songs, often written and recorded alone on his phone, blend indie rock, R&B, and lo-fi pop. The music propelled him to fame on TikTok, Instagram, Soundcloud, and Spotify, where his top tracks, including the 2022 breakthrough "Romantic Homicide," have amassed over a billion streams. In 2023, he released two EPs and opened for SZA on tour. Reflecting on his rise, he told the Associated Press at the Coachella festival, "It grew past Fortnite, it grew past YouTube, past everything like that, and it became such a music focused thing and the real artist in me came out." His debut full-length album, "Withered," was released last year, just two days after authorities estimate Rivas Hernandez was killed.
Who is Celeste Rivas Hernandez?
Rivas Hernandez was a 13-year-old seventh grader when her family reported her missing in 2024 from her hometown of Lake Elsinore, about 80 miles outside Los Angeles. Her body was discovered a day after she would have turned 15. Prosecutors allege she was sexually abused in a relationship with Burke that lasted at least a year before she turned 14, the age at which they claim she was killed. She was last seen alive on April 23, 2025, when she visited his Hollywood Hills home. Her parents described her in a statement as "a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance."
Key Players in Court
Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo is presiding over the case. She is best known for overseeing the two trials of actor Danny Masterson, the first of which ended in a mistrial and the second led to two rape convictions in 2023. She sentenced Masterson to 30 years to life in prison. Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman, the lead prosecutor, gained recognition for securing the conviction and death sentence of the "Grim Sleeper" serial killer in 2016 for the murders of nine women and a teenage girl. Blair Berk, representing Burke, has long been a go-to attorney for A-list clients, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Ozzy Osbourne, and Harvey Weinstein.
