Killing, Sex Abuse Of Lake Elsinore Girl: D4vd Ordered To Stand Trial

LOS ANGELES, CA — Singer D4vd was ordered Monday to stand trial on murder and other charges in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose decomposed and dismembered remains were found inside his Tesla last fall.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo issued the decision after a five-day preliminary hearing in downtown Los Angeles, ruling that prosecutors presented sufficient evidence for the singer to stand trial.

The judge denied a defense request to dismiss the case and ordered the singer, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, to remain jailed without bail.

Burke, 21, has pleaded not guilty to one count each of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains.

He is also facing special-circumstance allegations that he killed Celeste by lying in wait, for financial gain and to prevent her from serving as a witness. Prosecutors further allege that he used a sharp instrument during the killing.

Prosecutors contend Burke killed Celeste to prevent her from exposing his alleged sexual abuse of her and damaging his rising music career.

Celeste's Death

According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Burke arranged for an Uber to bring Celeste from her Lake Elsinore home to his Hollywood Hills residence on April 23, 2025. She was not seen again after arriving.

Celeste's phone went permanently silent after she reached the home. Prosecutors claim Burke continued sending messages to her phone after she died to create the appearance that he did not know where she was.

The following day, prosecutors say Burke ordered a shovel. Over the next several days, prosecutors say he used an alias to order three chainsaws, a body bag and a blue inflatable pool.

Prosecutors claim Burke fatally stabbed Celeste, placed her body inside the pool and used a chainsaw to dismember her in his garage. Investigators later found apparent blood stains in the garage that matched Celeste’s DNA profile, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Small pieces of blue plastic recovered from Celeste’s remains also matched portions missing from the inflatable pool, prosecutors said.

'Of Course, It's Yours'

In a January 2024 text exchange that was read in court Friday, the two expressed their love for each other and talked about a pregnancy, with the teen writing that neither of them were capable of taking care of a baby, the detective said.

Burke wrote to the girl that his mother always told him to ask in that situation if "it is mine," with the then-13-year-old girl responding, "Of course, it's yours, David," according to the detective, who said the pair exchanged messages about an abortion appointment.

Text messages between the two also showed a plan dubbed "Operation Awesome" in which the girl was to move in with Burke in February 2024, with Burke writing the girl that it was the most important day in her life next to her wedding day, according to the detective.

'Parent's Worst Nightmare'

Celeste’s remains were discovered Sept. 8, 2025, inside the front trunk of Burke’s Tesla after the vehicle was reported abandoned and impounded. Prosecutors say surveillance footage and other evidence showed Burke was the last person to drive it.

Burke’s attorneys argued that prosecutors had not established that he intended to kill Celeste or planned the alleged attack. Defense attorney Marilyn Bednarski said messages between the two showed that Burke had expressed love and concern for the girl.

The Los Angeles Times reported that defense lawyers also emphasized that investigators had not identified an eyewitness who saw Burke and Celeste during the period when prosecutors believe she was killed.

Burke’s attorneys have maintained that he did not murder Celeste and was not responsible for her death.

Olmedo noted that the probable-cause standard at a preliminary hearing is substantially lower than the proof beyond a reasonable doubt required for a conviction at trial.

“This has been a parent’s worst nightmare,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement following the ruling.

Burke is scheduled to return to court Aug. 31 for arraignment at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. If convicted as charged, he could face life in state prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.

The District Attorney’s Office has not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty.

Material from City News Service and the Associated Press was used in this report.