LOS ANGELES — Judge Charlaine Olmedo ruled that indie pop singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, must stand trial for the murder and dismemberment of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The ruling follows a preliminary hearing in Los Angeles, where prosecutors presented forensic evidence linking Burke to the death.

David Anthony Burke, 21, pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, mutilation of human remains, and continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14. Hernandez was 14 years old at the time of her death.

Celeste Hernandez was last seen on April 23, 2025, after arriving at Burke's Hollywood Hills home via an Uber ride he arranged. Prosecutors allege that Burke stabbed Hernandez to death upon her arrival at his home to prevent her from exposing their relationship and damaging his career.

Hernandez's decomposed remains were discovered in September 2025 in the front trunk of a Tesla Model X registered to Burke, which had been towed to an impoundment lot. The remains were identified through dental records. Los Angeles County Medical Examiner Dr. Grant Ho testified that Hernandez died from multiple penetrating injuries, including wounds to the abdomen and chest, and that her arms, legs, and two fingers had been severed.

LAPD Detective Joshua Byers testified that shreds of blue plastic from an inflatable swimming pool were found embedded in the flesh of Hernandez's severed limbs. Prosecutors presented evidence that Burke purchased chain saws, a shovel, cadaver bags, and an inflatable pool online using the alias "Travion Davis" and had them delivered to his home. DNA analysis of biological samples collected from Burke's garage matched Hernandez's genetic profile.

Two fingers from Hernandez's left hand, which bore a tattoo reading David, were amputated and not recovered. Hernandez's right index finger bore a tattoo reading SHHH.. Which matched a tattoo on Burke's right index finger. Cell tower data showed Burke's Tesla and cellphone traveled from his Hollywood Hills home to Santa Barbara County and back between April 23 and April 24, 2025. Hernandez's passport ID card was found by a Caltrans worker in a dirt turnout along Highway 154 in Santa Barbara County on January 7, 2026.

LAPD Detective Corey Farrell testified that text messages and photos recovered from Burke's iPhone and iCloud account showed a sexual relationship with Hernandez beginning when she was 13 and he was 18. Text messages revealed that Hernandez, aged 13 at the time, had an abortion in January 2024 after becoming pregnant by Burke. In text messages from January 2024, Burke wrote to Hernandez, "I'm sorry again baby i didnt want to ever put you through this," and she replied, "no its ok. Don't worry both of us are able to take care of it."

In a text message from June 2024, Burke wrote to Hernandez, "Let's let this abortion be the last one til we have the real one.." Detective Corey Farrell testified under questioning that Hernandez's parents knew about her relationship with Burke and had consented to her traveling to London with him.

Burke's debut studio album, "Withered," was released in April 2025, the same week Hernandez went missing. Burke began his music career creating songs for Fortnite gaming videos in 2022 and gained fame on TikTok with the hit single "Romantic Homicide." He signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Interscope Records following his viral success. Financial manager Benjamin Greger testified that Burke earned between $10 million and $11 million from 2023 to 2025.

Defense attorneys established that no witnesses or cameras captured Hernandez entering Burke's home or Burke being present at the time of the alleged killing. Defense attorney Blair Berk stated, "We believe the actual evidence will show David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez, nor was he the cause of her death." The victim's parents were present for most of the preliminary hearing testimony. Hernandez's mother, Mercedes Martinez, and father left the courtroom after becoming emotional during testimony describing explicit photos.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated that his office would decide later whether to seek the death penalty. Burke was arrested in April 2026.