D4vd Remains Unmoved as Gruesome Evidence is Presented
WHO:
Fox News - David Burke, known as D4vd, is accused of murdering and dismembering a 14-year-old girl named Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Los Angeles Times - David Anthony Burke, whose stage name is D4vd, is the accused in the murder case.
Fox News - Celeste's parents are Jesus Rivas and Mercedes Martinez.
Los Angeles Times - Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman is overseeing the case.
WHAT:
Fox News - Burke appeared in front of a Los Angeles judge for the first day of a preliminary hearing expected to last three to five days.
Fox News - Prosecutors expect to call 10 witnesses, including members of the police department and coroner's office.
Los Angeles Times - The preliminary hearing is expected to make public additional evidence against Burke, who has been a suspect in the girl’s death for nearly a year.
Los Angeles Times - The hearing could last up to five days, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman.
Fox News - D4vd is accused of murder, child sex abuse, and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
Fox News - Burke allegedly killed Celeste after she threatened to expose their relationship and dismembered her body with a chainsaw.
Los Angeles Times - Gruesome photos of Celeste's dismembered body were presented at a preliminary hearing.
Fox News - Burke faces charges that are death penalty eligible; if not pursued, he could face life without parole.
Los Angeles Times - Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
WHERE:
Fox News - The remains of Celeste Rivas were found in the trunk of a Tesla in Hollywood Hills, California.
Los Angeles Times - The preliminary hearing is taking place in a Los Angeles courtroom.
WHEN:
Fox News - Celeste's remains were discovered on September 25, 2025.
Fox News - Burke was arrested in Los Angeles in connection to the murder.
Los Angeles Times - Burke's arraignment on murder and rape charges occurred on April 20, 2026.
Fox News - The preliminary hearing is expected to last three to five days.
WHY:
Fox News - Prosecutors allege Burke killed Celeste to cover up years of sexual abuse after she threatened to disclose their relationship.
Los Angeles Times - Burke feared the collapse of his music career due to the potential exposure of his relationship with Celeste.
HOW:
Los Angeles Times - Burke allegedly ordered a "burn cage" to his home under the alias Victoria Mendez to dispose of evidence.
Los Angeles Times - Prosecutors allege Burke placed Hernandez's body in an inflatable pool to prevent blood from spilling on his property during dismemberment.
Fox News - Burke allegedly used a chainsaw to dismember Celeste's body and attempted to erase evidence by amputating her fingers.
Los Angeles Times - Burke reportedly ordered a shovel, chainsaws, body bags, and an inflatable pool to dispose of Celeste's remains.
Los Angeles Times - Burke allegedly sent text messages to Celeste's phone asking where she was after he had already killed her.
(UPDATED July 22, 2026 06:49 UTC)
Burke appeared in front of a Los Angeles judge for the first day of a preliminary hearing that is expected to last three to five days, where prosecutors plan to call ten witnesses, including members of the police department and coroner's office. This hearing aims to reveal additional evidence against Burke, who has been a suspect in the girl’s death for nearly a year, and it could potentially shed light on serious allegations, including that he ordered a "burn cage" under the alias Victoria Mendez to dispose of evidence. Prosecutors also allege that Burke placed Hernandez's body in an inflatable pool to prevent blood from spilling on his property during dismemberment.
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(UPDATED July 21, 2026 22:21 UTC)
David Burke, known by his stage name D4vd, is accused of the murder and dismemberment of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, with her remains discovered in the trunk of a Tesla in Hollywood Hills, California. Prosecutors allege that Burke killed Celeste to cover up years of sexual abuse after she threatened to expose their relationship, and he faces charges that could lead to the death penalty or life without parole if not pursued. The preliminary hearing is currently taking place in a Los Angeles courtroom, where gruesome evidence has been presented, and Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges.