D4vd to Face Preliminary Hearing in Celeste Rivas Hernandez Case

WHO:

ABC7 Los Angeles - Singer D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, is facing charges in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

CNN - Celeste Rivas Hernandez was a teenage runaway from Lake Elsinore in Riverside County, California.

WHAT:

ABC7 Los Angeles - Prosecutors plan to present an "avalanche of evidence" during the preliminary hearing, which is expected to last three to seven days.

CNN - The preliminary hearing began with prosecutors detailing how they believe D4vd killed and dismembered Celeste Rivas Hernandez to prevent her from disclosing details about their relationship.

The Guardian - The preliminary hearing is expected to conclude on Thursday, following several delays due to the volume of investigatory evidence.

TMZ - D4vd still had Celeste Rivas' name tattooed on his left ring finger when he was booked into jail, a detail revealed during the preliminary hearing.

ABC7 Los Angeles - D4vd's preliminary hearing is expected to last three to seven days, with the first day of the hearing starting on Tuesday.

CNN - Prosecutors allege that D4vd "took horrifying measures to destroy and discard the victim’s body," and they plan to present evidence including text messages and surveillance video.

AP News - The preliminary hearing will resemble a mini trial, with no jury present, and Judge Charlaine Olmedo will decide on the evidence's sufficiency to proceed to trial.

The Guardian - Prosecutors have not yet decided if they will seek the death penalty for D4vd.

TMZ - D4vd has filed a motion requesting that his handcuffs and other restraints be removed for the preliminary hearing.

ABC7 Los Angeles - D4vd's preliminary hearing is expected to last about four days, concluding on Thursday.

CNN - Prosecutors allege that D4vd "took horrifying measures to destroy and discard the victim’s body," and they plan to present evidence including text messages and surveillance video.

AP News - The preliminary hearing will resemble a mini trial, with no jury present, and Judge Charlaine Olmedo will decide on the evidence's sufficiency to proceed to trial.

ABC7 Los Angeles - D4vd has pleaded not guilty to charges that include first-degree murder, sexual abuse of a child, and unlawful mutilation of human remains.

AP News - The preliminary hearing is expected to last about four days and will look much like an abbreviated trial.

AP News - Judge Charlaine Olmedo will decide whether the prosecution offered enough evidence to demonstrate probable cause to proceed to trial.

CNN - Prosecutors allege that D4vd "took horrifying measures to destroy and discard the victim’s body."

ABC7 Los Angeles - The preliminary hearing for D4vd is expected to conclude on Thursday.

ABC7 Los Angeles - Prosecutors allege that D4vd ordered an Uber that brought Celeste Rivas Hernandez to his Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025, around 10:10 p.m.

ABC7 Los Angeles - Prosecutors plan to present several law enforcement witnesses during the hearing.

CNN - D4vd's defense team stated he “was not the cause” of Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s death.

The Guardian - If convicted of murder, D4vd may face the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The Guardian - Prosecutors plan to present forensic evidence linking blood stains in D4vd's garage to Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s genetic profile.

ABC7 Los Angeles - The preliminary hearing for D4vd is expected to conclude on Thursday.

ABC7 Los Angeles - Prosecutors allege that Celeste Rivas Hernandez threatened to expose their illegal relationship and ruin D4vd's career if he would not be exclusive to her.

ABC7 Los Angeles - Court documents include surveillance video showing D4vd was the last person to drive his Tesla.

The Guardian - Prosecutors have not yet decided if they will seek the death penalty for D4vd.

The Guardian - D4vd has been held in custody without bail since his arrest in April.

ABC7 Los Angeles - The preliminary hearing for D4vd is set to start on Tuesday and is expected to last three to seven days.

ABC7 Los Angeles - Prosecutors allege that D4vd and Celeste Rivas Hernandez had been in a sexual relationship for years after meeting on social media.

ABC7 Los Angeles - Court documents reference text messages between D4vd and Celeste that "contain references to sex, pregnancy, abortion, and use of the Plan B emergency contraceptive."

CNN - D4vd's first studio album, “Withered,” was to be released just days after the argument on April 22, 2025.

CNN - D4vd was 21 years old at the time of the articles, and Celeste was 14.

CNN - D4vd's album release party occurred the night after the argument on April 22, 2025, before he departed on an international tour in late July.

CNN - Prosecutors allege that D4vd "took horrifying measures to destroy and discard the victim’s body."

CNN - An expert with Los Angeles police made “a physical fit match … to the blue inflatable pool” in which Celeste was dismembered.

CNN - D4vd allegedly cut off Celeste's left ring and pinky fingers because her ring finger had a tattoo of his name.

CNN - D4vd parked the Tesla around the corner from his home before embarking on his concert tour at the end of July 2025.

ABC7 Los Angeles - D4vd has been charged with first-degree murder, sexual abuse of a child, and unlawful mutilation of human remains.

ABC7 Los Angeles - The preliminary hearing for D4vd is set to last three to seven days.

CNN - D4vd is accused of fatally stabbing and dismembering Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

CNN - Prosecutors allege that D4vd purchased two chainsaws, a body bag, heavy-duty laundry bags, and a blue inflatable pool to dispose of Celeste's body.

WHERE:

ABC7 Los Angeles - Celeste Rivas Hernandez's body was found in the front of D4vd's Tesla in a Hollywood tow yard.

CNN - Celeste was last seen at D4vd's home in the Hollywood Hills.

WHEN:

ABC7 Los Angeles - Celeste Rivas Hernandez was last seen alive on April 23, 2025.

CNN - Celeste's dismembered remains were found on September 8, 2025, a day after her 15th birthday.

CNN - D4vd's album release party occurred the night after the argument on April 22, 2025.

WHY:

CNN - Prosecutors allege that Celeste threatened to disclose damaging information about her relationship with D4vd, which motivated him to silence her.

CNN - Celeste was reportedly extremely upset and threatened to disclose damaging information about her relationship with D4vd.

ABC7 Los Angeles - Prosecutors allege that Celeste threatened to expose her relationship with D4vd, which motivated him to silence her.

CNN - Celeste was reportedly jealous of D4vd's relationships with other women, leading to a heated argument.

HOW:

AP News - Prosecutors allege that D4vd used chainsaws to dismember Celeste's body in his garage and that he purchased these tools online shortly after the alleged murder.

CNN - An expert with Los Angeles police made “a physical fit match … to the blue inflatable pool” in which Celeste was dismembered, according to the prosecution.

AP News - Prosecutors said they have records showing Burke ordered chain saws and wading pools that he used to dismember her body in his garage, and that her DNA was found there on blood stains discovered when police served a search warrant.

The Guardian - Prosecutors allege that D4vd used chainsaws to dismember Celeste's body in his garage and that he purchased these tools online shortly after the alleged murder.

CNN - D4vd allegedly cut off Celeste's left ring and pinky fingers because her ring finger had a tattoo of his name, and her fingers have not been recovered.

TMZ - D4vd has filed a motion requesting that his handcuffs and other restraints be removed for the preliminary hearing.

The Guardian - The manager of the tow yard alerted law enforcement after noticing a pungent odor and the presence of flies coming from D4vd's Tesla.

ABC7 Los Angeles - D4vd allegedly used chainsaws to dismember Celeste's body in a blue inflatable pool.

CNN - D4vd sent an Uber to bring Celeste to his home, where the alleged murder took place.

(UPDATED July 22, 2026 01:24 UTC)

Prosecutors are gearing up to present what they describe as an "avalanche of evidence" during the preliminary hearing for D4vd, which is expected to last between three to seven days and conclude on Thursday. They allege that D4vd killed and dismembered Celeste Rivas Hernandez to prevent her from revealing details about their relationship, using chainsaws he purchased online shortly after the murder. A police expert testified that a physical match was made to the blue inflatable pool where Celeste was dismembered, and it was noted that D4vd still had her name tattooed on his left ring finger when he was booked into jail.

(UPDATED July 21, 2026 20:22 UTC)

D4vd's preliminary hearing is set to begin on Tuesday and is expected to last between three to seven days, resembling a mini trial without a jury, where Judge Charlaine Olmedo will evaluate the evidence presented. Prosecutors allege that D4vd took horrifying measures to destroy and discard the victim's body, with plans to introduce text messages and surveillance video, while also revealing that they have records showing he ordered chain saws and wading pools used in the dismemberment. Additionally, D4vd has filed a motion to have his handcuffs and other restraints removed during the hearing, as prosecutors have yet to decide whether they will seek the death penalty.

(UPDATED July 21, 2026 17:21 UTC)

D4vd's preliminary hearing is set to last about four days and is expected to conclude on Thursday, with Judge Charlaine Olmedo overseeing the proceedings. Prosecutors allege that D4vd took horrifying measures to destroy and discard the victim’s body, claiming he used chainsaws to dismember Celeste in his garage and purchased the tools online shortly after the alleged murder. They plan to present evidence, including text messages and surveillance video, while also detailing that D4vd cut off Celeste's left ring and pinky fingers, which have not been recovered.

(UPDATED July 21, 2026 16:23 UTC)

D4vd has pleaded not guilty to serious charges, including first-degree murder, sexual abuse of a child, and unlawful mutilation of human remains, with a preliminary hearing set to last about four days, resembling an abbreviated trial. Judge Charlaine Olmedo will determine if the prosecution has presented enough evidence to establish probable cause for a trial, as prosecutors allege that D4vd took horrifying measures to destroy and discard the victim's body. They claim to have records showing he ordered chain saws and wading pools used in the dismemberment, with DNA evidence found at the scene linking him to the crime.

(UPDATED July 21, 2026 14:39 UTC)

The preliminary hearing for D4vd is expected to conclude on Thursday, with prosecutors alleging that he ordered an Uber that brought Celeste Rivas Hernandez to his Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025, around 10:10 p.m. During the hearing, prosecutors plan to present several law enforcement witnesses and forensic evidence linking blood stains in D4vd's garage to Hernandez's genetic profile, while his defense team maintains that he “was not the cause” of her death. If convicted of murder, D4vd may face the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole, and he has also filed a motion to have his handcuffs and other restraints removed for the hearing.

(UPDATED July 21, 2026 10:44 UTC)

The preliminary hearing for D4vd is expected to wrap up on Thursday, with prosecutors alleging that Celeste Rivas Hernandez threatened to expose their illegal relationship and damage D4vd's career if he did not commit to her exclusively. Court documents reveal that surveillance video shows D4vd was the last person to drive his Tesla, which has been a focal point in the investigation. Since his arrest in April, D4vd has been held in custody without bail, and prosecutors are still deciding whether to pursue the death penalty in this case.

(UPDATED July 21, 2026 08:48 UTC)

The preliminary hearing for D4vd is set to begin on Tuesday and is expected to last between three to seven days. Prosecutors allege that D4vd and Celeste Rivas Hernandez had a sexual relationship for several years, and court documents reveal troubling text messages between them discussing sex, pregnancy, and abortion. Additionally, D4vd is accused of taking horrifying measures to destroy and discard Celeste's body, with evidence linking him to the crime scene, including a physical match to a blue inflatable pool where she was dismembered.

(UPDATED July 21, 2026 07:50 UTC)

Singer D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, is facing serious charges, including first-degree murder, in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a runaway from Lake Elsinore, California. Prosecutors allege that D4vd fatally stabbed and dismembered Celeste, whose remains were discovered in front of his Tesla at a Hollywood tow yard, and they claim he purchased various items, including chainsaws and a body bag, to dispose of her body. The preliminary hearing for D4vd is set to last three to seven days, as he faces accusations that his motive stemmed from a heated argument with Celeste, who allegedly threatened to expose their relationship.