Judge to Rule on D4vd's Trial in Teen Murder Case
WHO:
NBC News - The defendant is D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, and the victim is Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old girl.
ABC News - D4vd's attorney is Blair Berk, and the family attorney for Rivas Hernandez is Patrick Steinfeld.
WHAT:
NBC News - The preliminary hearing is expected to last three to seven days, with Judge Charlaine Olmedo presiding over the proceedings.
NBC News - Prosecutors allege that D4vd ordered two chainsaws on Amazon to dismember Rivas Hernandez's body.
ABC News - Prosecutors plan to call more than 10 witnesses during the preliminary hearing.
NBC News - D4vd is facing charges including first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
NBC News - The preliminary hearing is expected to last about four days and will determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.
ABC News - Prosecutors allege that D4vd stabbed Rivas Hernandez multiple times and dismembered her body using chainsaws.
ABC News - Rivas Hernandez's remains were found in two body bags in the trunk of D4vd's Tesla four months after her death.
WHERE:
NBC News - The hearing is taking place at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles.
NBC News - Rivas Hernandez was reported missing from Lake Elsinore, California, approximately 80 miles outside of Los Angeles.
ABC News - The remains were discovered in a Hollywood tow yard.
WHEN:
NBC News - D4vd was arrested in April 2026.
NBC News - Rivas Hernandez was last seen alive on April 23, 2025.
NBC News - Rivas Hernandez's remains were found in September 2025.
NBC News - The preliminary hearing began on a Tuesday morning.
WHY:
NBC News - Prosecutors allege that Rivas Hernandez threatened to expose her relationship with D4vd, which motivated him to kill her.
ABC News - Prosecutors claim D4vd wanted to silence Rivas Hernandez to protect his music career.
HOW:
NBC News - A detective testified that Rivas Hernandez's remains were found in trash bags in the trunk of D4vd's Tesla, which had been towed from the Hollywood Hills.
NBC News - D4vd allegedly used chainsaws and wading pools to dismember Rivas Hernandez's body.
NBC News - Prosecutors have evidence including DNA, text messages, and purchase records linking D4vd to the crime.
ABC News - D4vd reportedly ordered an Uber to bring Rivas Hernandez to his home on the night she was last seen.
(UPDATED July 21, 2026 20:23 UTC)
The preliminary hearing for D4vd is set to last between three to seven days, with Judge Charlaine Olmedo overseeing the case. Prosecutors allege that D4vd ordered two chainsaws from Amazon to dismember Rivas Hernandez's body, and a detective testified that Hernandez's remains were discovered in trash bags inside D4vd's Tesla, which had been towed from the Hollywood Hills. Additionally, prosecutors plan to call more than ten witnesses during the proceedings.
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(UPDATED July 21, 2026 19:26 UTC)
David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, is facing serious charges including first-degree murder and continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Prosecutors allege that D4vd stabbed Rivas Hernandez multiple times and dismembered her body, which was discovered in two body bags in the trunk of his Tesla four months after she was reported missing from Lake Elsinore, California. The preliminary hearing is currently underway at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles and is expected to last about four days, as the court determines if there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.