Singer D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, appeared in a Los Angeles court this week as part of a multi-day preliminary hearing. Per CBS News, the prosecution started presenting evidence and they also called in some witnesses. Later, Chris Stewart covered what happened during his On The Case podcast on Law&Crime Network.
Eyewitness in Court
The 21-year-old musician faces charges for the murder and dismemberment of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Stewart noted that Burke appeared “bored” inside the courtroom as prosecutors began presenting their evidence.
Then he brought in reporter Julia Deng, who was inside the courtroom to break down what happened on day one.
Deng reported that observers froze when prosecutors displayed photos of the remains found inside the front storage area of a Tesla. She said reporters “stopped typing for a moment” when the pictures hit the screen.
Celeste’s parents sat three rows ahead of her, and she watched her mother, Mercedes, “bowing her head down and crying.”
Graphic Evidence
As detailed in a report by FOX 11 Los Angeles, as graphic evidence photos emerged,including “images of a hand missing fingers,” the emotional toll inside the room was immediate, to the point where “a spectator had to fan the victim’s mother because it appeared she was going to faint.”
Before witnesses took the stand, the judge ruled on a defense request regarding Burke’s restraints. His lawyers argued that seeing D4vd in cuffs could make him look guilty.
The judge agreed to remove his handcuffs so he could pass notes to his team, though his feet and waist remained chained.
Day One Testimony
Deng said three witnesses testified on the first day.
A deputy testified about visiting Burke’s home in early 2024 while looking for Celeste, who was reported missing. He said Burke showed him a yearbook picture of the girl and claimed she told him “she was 18, not 13.”
An LAPD detective recounted going to a Hollywood tow yard after workers called about a “foul stench of decomposition” coming from the impounded Tesla. He described finding human remains inside a “cadaver bag” in the front storage compartment.
The Financials Were Discussed
An accountant later broke down the singer’s finances, testifying that Burke made between “10 and 11.5 million dollars” from 2023 through 2025. Prosecutors allege money was the primary motive.
They claim Burke killed the teenager because she threatened to expose their relationship, which would have ruined his career right before his debut album launch. It feels surreal that a young pop career was allegedly tied up in something this dark.
Defense Challenges & Expert Views
According to FOX 11 Los Angeles, defense attorneys aggressively cross-examined LAPD detectives regarding evidence handling. They questioned “why no official scene sign-in log was kept” and why certain items, including the cadaver bag and two chainsaws found in the house, “were not kept for DNA analysis.”
The report also highlighted commentary from legal experts on the potential direction of the trial. Criminal defense attorney Mark Geragos suggested the defense might attempt a self-defense argument.
Family Demands Accountability
Deng also caught up with wrongful death attorney Patrick Steinfeld, who represents the victim’s family.
Speaking about Burke’s mother, who managed his career, Steinfeld said, “at some point you have to stop babying the adult man and he needs to take accountability for his actions.”
The Timeline
Court documents show the two met in early 2022 when Celeste was 11. Prosecutors allege a sexual relationship began in late 2023. Text messages recovered from iCloud accounts showed discussions about “pregnancy, abortion, and use of Plan B emergency contraception.”
By April 2025, text logs revealed heavy arguments between the two. She threatened to expose him just days before his album release. Prosecutors claim Burke ordered an Uber to pick her up on April 23, 2025, and stabbed her shortly after she arrived at his Hollywood Hills home.
The Alleged Cover-Up
Investigators allege he bought chainsaws, heavy laundry bags, and a burn cage off Amazon using fake names like “Victoria Mendes” and “TRavion Davis.”
According to FOX 11 Los Angeles, receipts show items such as “a shovel delivered via Postmates, a blue inflatable pool, fireproof floor mats,” and a mop cleaning system were purchased right around the time of the murder.
The proscution will try and show that D4vd dismembered Celeste Rivas in a plastic inflatable pool in his garage. LAPD forensic experts matched blue plastic fragments on her body directly to the pool. He also allegedly cut off her ring and pinky fingers to remove a tattoo of his name.
The Tesla Discovery
Burke allegedly left the Tesla parked on a nearby street before going on tour. Parking officers cited the vehicle before it was towed in September 2025. Tow yard workers called police days later after noticing flies and a bad smell.
Police arrested Burke in April 2026. His defense attorney, Blair Berk, publicly disputed the claims in a statement, saying, “The actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death.”
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