D4vd's DNA Tied to Evidence in Teen Murder Investigation

WHO:

Rolling Stone Music - The singer D4vd, born David Anthony Burke, is facing charges.

The Guardian - Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old girl, is the alleged victim.

WHAT:

ABC7 Los Angeles - Prosecutors allege that Burke "purchased tools to carry out his plot to dismember and dispose of the victim's body," including ordering a shovel, two chainsaws, a body bag, heavy-duty laundry bags, and a blue inflatable pool to be delivered to his home under a fake name.

ABC7 Los Angeles - The prosecution contended in an April court filing that Burke "purchased tools to carry out his plot to dismember and dispose of the victim's body," including ordering a shovel, two chainsaws, a body bag, heavy-duty laundry bags, and a blue inflatable pool to be delivered to his home under a fake name.

ABC7 Los Angeles - Prosecutors displayed graphic photographs of the front trunk and the victim, along with an image showing blue plastic fragments embedded in the victim's right knee.

ABC7 Los Angeles - The filing alleges that Burke "amputated her left ring and pinky fingers because her ring finger contained a tattoo of his name," and those fingers were not found in the Tesla.

ABC7 Los Angeles - A police criminalist testified that DNA collected from apparent blood stains on evidence including a rowing machine, a green tarp, and a Tesla charger plug discovered in the garage were one septillion times more likely to occur if the DNA was from Celeste Rivas Hernandez than an unknown individual.

ABC7 Los Angeles - The murder charge against D4vd includes special circumstance allegations of lying in wait, murder for financial gain, and killing a witness in a criminal investigation.

ABC7 Los Angeles - A police criminalist testified that blue fragments recovered from Celeste Rivas Hernandez matched portions missing from an inflatable pool found in Burke's garage, which had multiple cuts and a "fresh, almost laundry-like scent."

ABC7 Los Angeles - The prosecution contends that Burke "amputated her left ring and pinky fingers because her ring finger contained a tattoo of his name," and those fingers were not found in the Tesla.

KSL.com - A DNA expert testified that evidence from blood stains in D4vd's garage matched Celeste Rivas Hernandez, with a probability of "one septillion times more likely" to originate from her than anyone else.

KSL.com - DNA was found on cleaning wipes inside a trash bag in the garage, but not on the bag itself; Burke's DNA was identified on the bag.

Rolling Stone Music - D4vd is charged with murdering Celeste Rivas Hernandez to cover up sexual abuse.

The Guardian - D4vd has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, “lewd and lascivious acts” with a child under 14, and mutilation of human remains.

The Guardian - Possible traces of blood were detected in areas of Burke’s former Hollywood Hills residence and his Tesla.

The Guardian - A passport bearing Rivas Hernandez’s name and photograph was found in January 2026 on a dirt embankment off State Route 154 in Santa Barbara.

WHERE:

The Guardian - The evidence was found in Burke’s former Hollywood Hills residence and his Tesla.

The Guardian - The passport was discovered off State Route 154 in Santa Barbara.

WHEN:

The Guardian - The passport was found in January 2026.

The Guardian - The hearing to determine whether D4vd will stand trial is expected to conclude by early next week.

WHY:

The Guardian - Prosecutors allege D4vd fatally stabbed Celeste Rivas Hernandez to prevent her from exposing the sexual nature of their relationship amid his rising profile in the music world.

HOW:

ABC7 Los Angeles - LAPD detectives served a search warrant at Burke's home and found "evidence consistent with the dismemberment of the victim's body in the inflatable pool, which contained multiple linear cuts."

The Guardian - Defense attorney Blair Berk questioned why certain items, including chainsaws in Burke's garage, were not tested for DNA.

KSL.com - A police criminalist testified that most blood stains in the garage were not visible and were revealed through a chemical test that makes the area glow blue.

The Guardian - Defense attorney Blair Berk questioned the testing of evidence, suggesting that another individual’s DNA could have been detected.

The Guardian - Prosecutors presented evidence of cellular data and a Tesla system showing Burke traveled to the area where Rivas Hernandez’s passport was discovered.

(UPDATED July 25, 2026 00:18 UTC)

Prosecutors allege that Burke purchased various tools to carry out a plot to dismember and dispose of a victim's body, including a shovel, two chainsaws, a body bag, heavy-duty laundry bags, and a blue inflatable pool, all delivered to his home under a fake name. In court, a police criminalist testified that blue fragments found on the victim matched pieces missing from the inflatable pool discovered in Burke's garage, which had a fresh scent reminiscent of laundry. The prosecution also claimed that Burke amputated the victim's left ring and pinky fingers, as her ring finger bore a tattoo of his name, and those fingers were not found in the vehicle involved.

(UPDATED July 24, 2026 14:37 UTC)

In a chilling testimony, a police criminalist revealed that DNA collected from blood stains on a rowing machine, a green tarp, and a Tesla charger plug is one septillion times more likely to belong to Celeste Rivas Hernandez than an unknown individual. Prosecutors allege that Burke purchased tools, including chainsaws and a body bag, to carry out a gruesome plot, while also claiming he dismembered Hernandez because her ring finger bore a tattoo of his name. During a search of Burke's home, LAPD detectives discovered evidence consistent with the dismemberment of the victim's body in an inflatable pool that had multiple linear cuts.

(UPDATED July 24, 2026 07:50 UTC)

A DNA expert testified that blood stains found in D4vd's garage matched Celeste Rivas Hernandez, with a staggering probability of "one septillion times more likely" to have originated from her than anyone else. Additionally, DNA was discovered on cleaning wipes inside a trash bag in the garage, while Burke's DNA was identified on the bag itself. During the proceedings, defense attorney Blair Berk raised questions about why certain items, including chainsaws in Burke's garage, were not subjected to DNA testing, as a police criminalist noted that most blood stains were not visible until revealed by a chemical test that causes the area to glow blue.

(UPDATED July 24, 2026 02:53 UTC)

D4vd, the singer born David Anthony Burke, is facing serious charges, including first-degree murder, in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who is alleged to have been his victim. Prosecutors claim that Burke fatally stabbed Rivas Hernandez to cover up sexual abuse, while evidence such as traces of blood was found in his former Hollywood Hills residence and his Tesla, along with her passport discovered off State Route 154 in Santa Barbara. Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and a hearing to determine if he will stand trial is expected to conclude by early next week.