# D4vd murder trial and wrongful death suit in Los Angeles > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/d4vd-murder-case-in-united-states > Updated: 2026-09-11T16:11:14.000Z. Sources: 316. Developments: 17. Los Angeles prosecutors are pursuing capital murder charges against indie-pop singer David Anthony Burke (D4vd) for the April 2025 killing and dismemberment of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernández. Following a five-day preliminary hearing in July 2026, Judge Charlaine Olmedo found probable cause to proceed, citing special circumstances including lying in wait and financial gain. Burke faces capital murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. Prosecutors allege Burke killed Hernández to prevent her from exposing their illicit sexual relationship, which allegedly began in 2023 when Burke was 18 and the victim was 13. Evidence presented includes DNA traces in Burke’s Hollywood Hills home, a blue inflatable pool allegedly used to contain blood, and text messages. The victim’s remains were discovered in the trunk of Burke’s Tesla in September 2025. Following the withdrawal of his high-profile legal team, Burke has transitioned to public defense via the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office. He has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges. In addition to the criminal proceedings, the Rivas Hernández family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court against Burke and his entourage, including his manager, his mother, and a live-in security guard, alleging they were complicit or aware of the inappropriate relationship. The civil suit also names the management company Mogul Vision as a defendant. The parents, Mercedes Martinez and Jesus Rivas, are seeking damages for wrongful death, false imprisonment, and childhood sexual assault, alleging associates enabled Burke to isolate the minor. The lawsuit further alleges sexual battery and human trafficking. On September 7, 2026, the family reiterated their support for the death penalty, stating execution “would be perfect” if a conviction is secured. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for October 19. ## Claims - Prosecutors presented digital messages showing an illegal sexual relationship, a pregnancy and an abortion between Burke and Rivas. (disputed by 8 sources) - Prosecutors say Celeste Rivas Hernandez was not pregnant when she was killed. (disputed by 4 sources) - David Burke pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, sexual abuse of a child, and mutilation of human remains. (corroborated by 41 sources) - Prosecutors allege Burke stabbed the teenager multiple times. (corroborated by 30 sources) - The decomposed remains of Rivas Hernandez were found in body bags in the trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke. (corroborated by 22 sources) - A status conference or court appearance is scheduled for October 19, 2026. (corroborated by 21 sources) - David Anthony Burke is charged with first‑degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. (corroborated by 20 sources) - Burke's private legal team, including Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter, withdrew from the case. (corroborated by 20 sources) - Prosecutors allege David Burke and Celeste Rivas Hernandez began a sexual relationship in 2023 when he was 18 and she was 13. (corroborated by 18 sources) - Judge Charlaine Olmedo found probable cause to proceed to trial. (corroborated by 16 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-11: Singer D4vd sued by parents of murdered teen The family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez has filed a wrongful death and human trafficking lawsuit against singer D4vd (David Burke) following his criminal charges for the teen's murder. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/singer-d4vd-sued-by-parents-of-murdered-teen ### 2026-09-09: D4vd faces wrongful death lawsuit in teen murder case The parents of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez have filed a civil wrongful death lawsuit against singer D4vd (David Anthony Burke), who faces criminal murder charges for her death. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/d4vd-faces-murder-charges-and-civil-lawsuit-in-death-of-teen ### 2026-09-07: D4vd faces wrongful death suit in Celeste Rivas murder case The family of slain 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against singer D4vd and his associates, while calling for the death penalty in his ongoing murder trial. 28 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/david-anthony-burke-murder-case-victims-family-calls-for-death-penalty ### 2026-09-05: D4vd faces murder charges as Celeste Rivas' family calls for death penalty The family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez is calling for the death penalty for singer D4vd (David Burke) if he is convicted of her murder in Los Angeles. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/d4vd-singers-alleged-jailhouse-letters-revealed-amid-death-investigation ### 2026-09-02: Singer D4vd loses private legal team ahead of murder trial Singer D4vd has lost his private legal team and will now be represented by a public defender in his Los Angeles murder and sexual abuse trial involving a 14-year-old victim. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/singer-d4vd-loses-private-legal-team-ahead-of-murder-trial ### 2026-08-31: D4vd switches to public defender in murder and abuse case Singer D4vd (David Anthony Burke) has replaced his private legal team with a public defender in his Los Angeles murder trial involving the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. 118 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/singer-d4vd-ordered-to-stand-trial-for-murder-of-14-year-old ### 2026-08-08: David Anthony Burke charged with capital murder in Celeste Rivas Hernandez case Musician David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, faces capital murder, sexual abuse, and mutilation charges regarding the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/david-anthony-burke-charged-with-capital-murder-in-celeste-rivas-hernandez-case ### 2026-08-05: Singer D4vd's Murder Case Spurs New Allegations About Video and Online Interactions Crew recall D4vd's calm behavior in a car‑trunk scene of his “One More Dance” video, while a teen fan says the singer joked about cutting off her arms; prosecutors allege he later placed 14‑year‑old Celeste R. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/singer-d4vds-murder-case-spurs-new-allegations-about-video-and-online-interactions ### 2026-08-02: Singer D4vd to stand trial for murder of teen Celeste Rivas in California Singer D4vd (David Anthony Burke) faces trial in California for the 2025 murder and dismemberment of 14‑year‑old Celeste Rivas; he pleaded not guilty, and a preliminary hearing found sufficient evidence to go‑t 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/los-angeles-murder-trial-of-singer-d4vd-begins ### 2026-07-31: Singer D4vd (David Burke) Charged in Murder of 14‑Year‑Old Celeste Rivas Singer D4vd (David Burke) is ordered to stand trial for the 2025 murder of 14‑year‑old Celeste Rivas, facing murder and child‑abuse charges; evidence includes DNA, a dismembered body in his Tesla, and incrimin­ 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/singer-d4vd-david-burke-charged-with-murder-of-14yearold-celeste-rivas ### 2026-07-29: David Anthony Burke to stand trial for murder of 14‑year‑old Celeste Rivas Hernandez Judge Charlaine Olmedo found enough evidence to send David Anthony Burke to trial for the murder, sexual abuse, and dismemberment of 14‑year‑old Celeste Rivas Hernandez; she was not pregnant, and the case may‑​ 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/singer-d4vd-faces-murder-trial-over-14-year-olds-death ### 2026-07-27: David Anthony Burke to stand trial for murder of 14‑year‑old Celeste Rivas Hernandez Judge Charlaine Olmedo ruled there is enough evidence to try David Anthony Burke for the murder, sexual abuse and body‑mutilation of 14‑year‑old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were found in his Tesla. 87 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/d4vds-apple-music-account-hacked-fake-confession-song-circulates-online ### 2026-07-25: David Anthony Burke Faces Murder and Abuse Charges After Pregnancy Texts Revealed David Anthony Burke (D4vd) is charged with murder, child sexual abuse and body mutilation after a teen’s body was found in a Tesla; texts reveal she was pregnant at 13 and had an abortion before her April 2025 49 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-singer-d4vd-charged-with-murder-of-14yearold-after-abortion-texts-unveiled ### 2026-07-23: Singer D4vd Charged with Murder of Teen Celeste Rivas Hernandez Singer D4vd (David Burke) faces murder, child‑sex‑abuse and mutilation charges after 14‑year‑old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found dismembered in his Tesla; DNA, forensic and text‑message evidence were central, 57 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/los-angeles-prosecutors-link-musician-d4vds-earnings-to-teens-murder ### 2026-07-21: Los Angeles judge hears evidence in D4vd murder case Singer D4vd (David Burke) faces a Los Angeles preliminary hearing on murder, child‑abuse and mutilation charges for the killing of 14‑year‑old Celeste Rivas Hernandez; prosecutors presented graphic photos and a 64 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/singer-d4vd-david-burke-faces-los-angeles-preliminary-murder-hearing ### 2026-07-18: Singer D4vd Accused of Murdering Teen and Supplying Fake Age Proof Singer D4vd faces murder, child‑abuse and mutilation charges after teen Celeste Rivas' death, with a former friend alleging he provided fake proof she was an adult. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/singer-d4vd-accused-of-murdering-teen-and-supplying-fake-age-proof ### 2026-07-18: D4vd's Unreleased Track Pops Up on Spotify During Murder Case D4vd’s song “Marcescence” briefly surfaced on Spotify before removal, as the singer awaits a July 21 murder hearing for the death of 14‑year‑old Celeste Rivas Hernández. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/d4vds-unreleased-track-pops-up-on-spotify-during-murder-case --- Cite as: D4vd murder trial and wrongful death suit in Los Angeles. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/d4vd-murder-case-in-united-states