LOS ANGELES — Singer David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom on Thursday for a preliminary hearing on charges that he murdered 14-year-old Celeste Rivas and possessed child pornography. The hearing took place one year to the day after investigators say Rivas was killed.

Burke, 21, appeared in shackles and an orange jumpsuit. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including first-degree murder with special circumstances of lying in wait, killing for financial gain, and murdering a witness to an investigation. The hearing came three days after he entered that plea.

Prosecutors said a substantial amount of child pornography was recovered from Burke's iPhone. Court documents allege Burke committed continuous sexual abuse of Rivas between September 2023 and September 2024, engaging in three or more acts of substantial sexual conduct. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said Burke engaged in a sexual relationship with Rivas that began when she was 13. Prosecutors believe Burke killed Rivas to prevent her from reporting their relationship and to protect his music career.

A criminal complaint alleges Burke killed Rivas with a sharp object on April 23, 2025, after she went to his home, and dismembered her body about two weeks later. Police responded to a Hollywood tow yard after a foul odor and flies were reported coming from Burke's impounded 2023 Tesla Model Y. Detectives found Rivas's decomposed remains in two cadaver bags in the trunk, with her head and torso in one bag and her arms and legs in the other. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said Rivas had wounds to her torso, including one that penetrated her liver, and she died from multiple penetrating injuries.

Prosecutor Beth Silverman said investigators collected about 40 terabytes of evidence, including material gathered through a wiretap. Silverman said prosecutors would turn over bodycam video, DNA trace evidence, property reports, vehicle reports, photographs, and forensic reports to the defense.

Members of Rivas's family sat together in court, where one wiped away tears and was comforted by an attorney. Burke's attorneys exercised his right to a preliminary hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. He is scheduled to return to court on April 29.

Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odey Ukpo said, "After several months, I am grateful this information can now be released, not only to the public, but also to the grieving family enduring loss." Ukpo also said, "It is unfathomable they have had to wait this long to learn what happened to their daughter. The transparency of the information contained in our findings and reports is essential for empowering the community to make informed changes to effectively reduce fear and allowing the community to take informed action." Authorities had earlier obtained a court order blocking the Medical Examiner's Office from releasing autopsy findings, a restriction the office opposed.