Singer D4vd (David Burke) Charged in Murder of 14‑Year‑Old Celeste Rivas

D4vd David Anthony Burke Celeste Rivas murder trial Los Angeles

A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ruled that prosecutors presented sufficient evidence to order a trial for 21‑year‑old singer‑songwriter David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd. He faces first‑degree murder, child sexual abuse and mutilation of remains charges for the 2025 killing of 14‑year‑old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

Prosecutors presented physical and digital evidence, including DNA traces in Burke’s Hollywood Hills home, a blue inflatable pool used to contain blood, and the victim’s remains recovered from the trunk of Burke’s Tesla after four months of decomposition. Text messages showed an illegal sexual relationship, a pregnancy, and an abortion. Burke has pleaded not guilty.

During the five‑day preliminary hearing, 12 witnesses testified, and District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman described the evidence as “a small but illustrative fraction” of the investigation. The case is now set for trial. Burke is being held at the Los Angeles County Twin Towers Correctional Facility, where he lives under 24‑hour monitoring and has limited contact with other inmates.

Entities: Celeste Rivas Hernandez · Charlaine F. Olmedo · David Anthony Burke · Los Angeles County · Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office · Los Angeles County Twin Towers Correctional Facility · Nathan J. Hochman

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 8 SOURCES] The alleged killing took place in April 2025 at Burke’s rented Hollywood Hills residence. (prosecutors)
[○ 1 SOURCE] A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ordered that the case proceed to trial after a preliminary hearing. (judge Charlaine F. Olmedo)
[● 9 SOURCES] The victim was 14‑year‑old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. (prosecutors)
[● 9 SOURCES] Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges. (Burke)
[● 8 SOURCES] The victim’s remains were stored in the trunk of Burke’s Tesla for over four months before being recovered in September 2025. (prosecutors)
[● 8 SOURCES] Prosecutors presented digital messages showing an illegal sexual relationship, a pregnancy and an abortion between Burke and Rivas. (prosecutors)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Burke is being held at the Los Angeles County Twin Towers Correctional Facility while awaiting trial. (source familiar with the prison)
[● 9 SOURCES] David Anthony Burke (D4vd) is charged with first-degree murder, child sexual abuse, and mutilation of remains. (prosecutors)