ELS: MBN360 Entertainment
As of July 29, 2026, singer D4vd (David Anthony Burke) is set to face a full criminal trial after a Los Angeles judge ruled there is sufficient evidence he murdered and dismembered 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
The decision, issued on July 27 following a five-day preliminary hearing, marks the latest development in a case that has gripped the music industry and public attention.
Burke, 21, faces charges of first-degree murder with special circumstances, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
Judge Charlaine Olmedo found probable cause on all counts, including special circumstances such as lying in wait, murder for financial gain, and killing a witness. These make him eligible for the death penalty, though prosecutors have not yet decided whether to seek it.
The ruling came after prosecutors presented graphic evidence and testimony from over a dozen witnesses. Celeste’s badly decomposed and dismembered remains were discovered on September 8, 2025, in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke. The vehicle had been abandoned and towed from the Hollywood Hills. She had been missing since April 2025.
Prosecutors allege Burke began a sexual relationship with Celeste when she was 13. They claim he stabbed her to death at his Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025, after she threatened via text to expose the relationship and ruin his career just days before his debut album Withered dropped.
Evidence reportedly includes her final texts, Amazon purchases under an alias (chainsaws, body bags, a burn cage), blood/DNA matches in his garage and Tesla, and dismemberment tools.
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Burke has pleaded not guilty. His defense team argued during the hearing that the murder evidence was insufficient and has maintained his innocence, suggesting the evidence will ultimately exonerate him. Burke showed no visible emotion as the judge delivered her ruling. He remains held without bail.
An information filing is expected soon, followed by a formal arraignment on August 31. A trial could begin as early as 60 days later, though timelines may shift. District Attorney Nathan Hochman emphasized that only a fraction of the evidence was shown at the preliminary hearing and that his office will be prepared whenever the trial is set.
Celeste’s family expressed relief following the July 27 decision. Attorney Patrick Steinfeld said they are “relieved that it’s done with” and appreciate the work of investigators and prosecutors. They plan a brief break before the next phase. Family members described Celeste as a vibrant girl who loved singing and dancing; they attended much of the emotionally taxing hearing.
The case has drawn intense scrutiny on social media and in entertainment circles. Burke’s career, once on a sharp upward trajectory with emotionally raw bedroom-pop tracks resonating with young audiences, effectively halted after the body’s discovery. Tours and reissues were canceled.
Public Reaction
As of July 29, no new court filings or major statements have emerged beyond post-ruling reactions. Public discourse continues to focus on the disturbing details revealed in the hearing, including forensic links and alleged grooming.
Legal experts note the preliminary hearing’s standard is relatively low (probable cause), meaning the trial will be where guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The tragedy has sparked broader conversations about artist accountability, online fan interactions, and protections for minors. For now, both sides prepare for trial. Prosecutors promise overwhelming evidence; the defense vows to fight every allegation.
Celeste’s loved ones continue seeking justice. As one relative noted earlier, “All we want is justice.” The coming months in court will determine the outcome.
