A judge in Los Angeles has ruled that American artist D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, will be tried for murder in the death of 14-year-old teenager Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The decision came after a preliminary hearing that lasted five days, during which prosecutors presented testimony and photographic evidence.
Burke, 21, is charged with murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and mutilation of a corpse. The artist pleaded not guilty to all charges, notes the BBC.
According to the prosecutors, the teenager was stabbed, and later her body was dismembered. The girl’s remains were discovered last September in a Tesla car registered to the artist.
Investigators say the relationship between Burke and the teenager had been going on for several years and that the girl had threatened to reveal their relationship and destroy his music career.
Text messages sent by Celeste on April 22, 2025, following arguments over the artist’s friendship with another girl, were presented in court.
According to prosecutors, one of the messages contained explicit threats to the singer, including that it would destroy his life and career.
The next day, the teenager would have traveled to the artist’s home in Hollywood with an Uber ordered by him. Prosecutors allege that once there, Burke allegedly stabbed her.
Los Angeles Police Department Detective Corey Farrell said in court that text messages between the two showed the artist was attending religious services with the girl’s family.
He stated, however, that he also knew that the teenager had told Burke, at different times, that she was 16 and 18, respectively, although she was only 14.
Burke’s lawyers argued that prosecutors did not present enough evidence to prove that he committed the murder.
According to the defense, the girl’s parents knew about the relationship between the two and even gave written consent for the teenager to travel to London for a week with the artist.
The attorneys also cited text messages exchanged on April 22 and 23 that they say show the girl insisted on going to Burke’s home, and Burke initially tried to talk her out of it.
“He repeatedly expressed his love and concern for Celeste Hernandez after the breakup”said lawyer Marilyn Bednarski.
The defense also argued that the medical examiner could not determine with certainty how the two penetrating wounds found on the victim’s body were caused and that there is no surveillance footage to prove that Burke was at home on the night of April 23.
Judge Charlaine Olmedo concluded that the evidence presented in the preliminary phase was sufficient to proceed with the trial.
“The prosecution has met its burden on all counts”said the magistrate.
The court assessed that there are sufficient indications including for the aggravating circumstances invoked by the prosecutors, among which the murder committed by surprise, the existence of a financial motive – career protection – and the elimination of a witness.
Formal arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 31, and the trial would begin no later than 90 days after that date.
After the hearing, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said that during the trial, the prosecution will present all the evidence it has and noted that no decision has yet been made on whether to seek the death penalty.
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