Singer D4vd Ordered to Stand Trial in Teen's Murder Case

WHO:

CNN - Singer d4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, is accused of killing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

AP News - Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman is involved in the case.

ABC News - D4vd has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

WHAT:

CNN - The judge, Charlaine Olmedo, stated, “The people have met their burden on all counts,” confirming the decision to proceed to trial.

AP News - The judge ordered d4vd to be held without bail.

AP News - An arraignment for d4vd is set for August 31.

AP News - Prosecutors are still weighing whether to seek the death penalty for d4vd.

AP News - The preliminary hearing lasted five days and included testimony from more than 10 witnesses.

CNN - The judge, Charlaine Olmedo, stated, “The people have met their burden on all counts,” confirming the decision to proceed to trial.

AP News - Prosecutors allege that Burke stabbed Celeste to death when she arrived at his home after a stream of text messages, which included threats from her to expose their relationship.

AP News - Prosecutors presented evidence that Burke had ordered chainsaws and wading pools, which he allegedly used to dismember Celeste's body in his garage.

AP News - Prosecutors claim d4vd used chainsaws to dismember Celeste's body and that her DNA was found in his garage.

AP News - Prosecutors allege that d4vd sent several messages to Celeste after her phone went silent, which they claim were sent as a cover-up after the murder.

AP News - The prosecutor also showed records from a cell phone connected to d4vd that they say helped show his movements in the month after when prosecutors think Celeste died.

CNN - A trial date will be set at a future hearing, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman.

CNN - The judge emphasized that the probable cause standard for a preliminary hearing is much lower than the threshold required for a trial conviction.

CNN - The defense attorney, Blair Berk, questioned why several items found in d4vd's home, including two chainsaws, were not kept as evidence.

CNN - Records show d4vd purchased a third chainsaw, but it was never recovered.

CNN - The prosecutor presented records from a cell phone connected to d4vd that helped show his movements in the month after Celeste's death.

CNN - The judge, Charlaine Olmedo, stated, “The people have met their burden on all counts,” confirming the decision to proceed to trial.

AP News - Prosecutors allege that Burke killed Celeste to prevent her from disclosing details about their relationship ahead of the release of his album.

CNN - The defense attorney, Marilyn Bednarski, argued that there was “no evidence that Mr. Burke harbored a deliberate intent to kill Miss Hernandez.”

AP News - Prosecutors are still weighing whether to seek the death penalty for d4vd.

CNN - The preliminary hearing lasted five days and included testimony from more than 10 witnesses.

AP News - The judge ordered d4vd to be held without bail.

AP News - An arraignment for d4vd is set for August 31.

CNN - The judge, Charlaine Olmedo, stated, “The people have met their burden on all counts,” confirming the decision to proceed to trial.

AP News - Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman claimed, “Based on the mountains of evidence presented, all of the allegations have been proved way beyond the standard required.”

CNN - The defense attorney, Marilyn Bednarski, argued that there was “no evidence that Mr. Burke harbored a deliberate intent to kill Miss Hernandez.”

AP News - Prosecutors allege that Burke stabbed Celeste to death when she arrived at his home after a stream of text messages, which included threats from her to expose their relationship.

CNN - The judge emphasized that the probable cause standard for a preliminary hearing is much lower than the threshold required for a trial conviction.

AP News - Prosecutors are still weighing whether to seek the death penalty for d4vd.

CNN - The defense argued that there is insufficient evidence for the murder charge to be upheld.

CNN - A Los Angeles judge ruled that there is enough evidence to move forward with the murder case against d4vd.

AP News - The charges against d4vd include first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains.

CNN - The preliminary hearing lasted five days and included testimony from more than 10 witnesses.

AP News - The judge ordered d4vd to be held without bail.

AP News - An arraignment for d4vd is set for August 31.

WHERE:

CNN - The preliminary hearing took place in Los Angeles.

AP News - Celeste Rivas Hernandez's body was found in the trunk of d4vd's Tesla, which was towed from a Hollywood tow lot.

WHEN:

AP News - Celeste Rivas Hernandez was last seen on April 23, 2025, when she sent a text message stating, “girly pop i’m almost there open ur door if ur home.”

CNN - Celeste's body was discovered in September of the previous year.

WHY:

AP News - Prosecutors allege that d4vd killed Celeste to prevent her from disclosing details about their relationship, which could harm his career.

CNN - Prosecutors allege that d4vd killed Celeste to prevent her from disclosing details about their relationship, which could harm his career.

AP News - Prosecutors allege that d4vd killed Celeste to prevent her from disclosing details about their relationship, which could harm his career.

HOW:

CNN - Evidence presented included testimony about Celeste’s mutilated body, crime-scene analysis, and items purchased from Amazon under an alias.

AP News - The prosecution presented a timeline of events leading to Celeste's death, including text messages exchanged between her and d4vd.

CNN - Prosecutors allege d4vd used a blue inflatable pool to prevent Celeste’s blood from spilling on the garage floor during the dismemberment process.

CNN - Prosecutors allege Burke used a blue inflatable pool to prevent Celeste’s blood from spilling on the garage floor during the dismemberment process.

AP News - Prosecutors presented evidence that Burke had ordered chainsaws and wading pools, which he allegedly used to dismember Celeste's body in his garage.

CNN - The prosecution presented a moment-by-moment account of Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s last night, indicating that her phone went silent after she arrived at d4vd's home.

AP News - Prosecutors allege that d4vd sent several messages to Celeste after her phone went silent, which they claim were sent as a cover-up after the murder.

CNN - Evidence presented included testimony about Celeste’s mutilated body, crime-scene analysis, and items purchased from Amazon under an alias.

AP News - Prosecutors claim d4vd used chainsaws to dismember Celeste's body and that her DNA was found in his garage.

CNN - The prosecution presented a timeline of events leading to Celeste's death, including text messages exchanged between her and d4vd.

CNN - Prosecutors allege Burke used a blue inflatable pool to prevent Celeste’s blood from spilling on the garage floor during the dismemberment process.

AP News - Prosecutors presented evidence that Burke had ordered chainsaws and wading pools, which he allegedly used to dismember Celeste's body in his garage.

CNN - The prosecution presented a moment-by-moment account of Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s last night, indicating that her phone went silent after she arrived at d4vd's home.

AP News - Prosecutors allege that d4vd sent several messages to Celeste after her phone went silent, which they claim were sent as a cover-up after the murder.

CNN - Evidence presented included testimony about Celeste’s mutilated body, crime-scene analysis, and items purchased from Amazon under an alias.

AP News - Prosecutors claim d4vd used chainsaws to dismember Celeste's body and that her DNA was found in his garage.

CNN - The prosecution presented a timeline of events leading to Celeste's death, including text messages exchanged between her and d4vd.

(UPDATED July 28, 2026 19:24 UTC)

A judge has confirmed that the case against d4vd will proceed to trial, stating, “The people have met their burden on all counts,” and has ordered him to be held without bail. An arraignment is scheduled for August 31, while prosecutors are still considering whether to seek the death penalty, following a five-day preliminary hearing that featured testimony from over ten witnesses. The allegations against d4vd include the murder of Celeste to prevent her from revealing details about their relationship that could jeopardize his career, with evidence presented including crime-scene analysis and items purchased from Amazon under an alias.

(UPDATED July 28, 2026 17:25 UTC)

A judge has confirmed that the case against d4vd will proceed to trial, stating that the prosecution has met its burden on all counts. Prosecutors allege that d4vd stabbed Celeste to death after a series of threatening text messages, and they presented evidence suggesting he used chainsaws and wading pools to dismember her body in his garage, where her DNA was found. Additionally, the prosecution claims d4vd sent messages to Celeste after her phone went silent, which they argue were attempts to cover up the murder, and they provided records from his cell phone to trace his movements in the month following her death.

(UPDATED July 28, 2026 06:46 UTC)

A trial date will be set at a future hearing, as confirmed by Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman. The judge noted that the probable cause standard for a preliminary hearing is significantly lower than what is needed for a trial conviction, while the defense attorney, Blair Berk, raised questions about why several items, including two chainsaws found in d4vd's home, were not preserved as evidence. Prosecutors allege that d4vd killed Celeste to prevent her from revealing details about their relationship that could jeopardize his career, and they claim he used a blue inflatable pool to contain the blood during the dismemberment process.

(UPDATED July 28, 2026 01:24 UTC)

A judge has confirmed that the case against d4vd will proceed to trial, stating that the prosecution has met their burden on all counts. Prosecutors allege that d4vd killed Celeste Rivas Hernandez to prevent her from revealing details about their relationship, presenting evidence that includes testimony about her mutilated body and the use of chainsaws in the dismemberment process. An arraignment for d4vd is scheduled for August 31, and he has been ordered to be held without bail as prosecutors consider whether to seek the death penalty.

(UPDATED July 28, 2026 00:17 UTC)

A judge has confirmed that the case against Burke will proceed to trial, stating that the prosecution has met their burden on all counts. Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman emphasized that the evidence presented proves the allegations well beyond the required standard, while defense attorney Marilyn Bednarski contended that there is no proof Burke intended to kill Celeste Hernandez. Prosecutors allege that Burke stabbed Celeste when she arrived at his home and then used a blue inflatable pool to contain the blood during the dismemberment process, having ordered chainsaws and wading pools for that purpose.

(UPDATED July 27, 2026 23:19 UTC)

In a recent preliminary hearing, the judge highlighted that the standard for establishing probable cause is significantly lower than what is needed for a conviction at trial. The prosecution detailed a timeline of Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s final night, noting that her phone went silent after she arrived at d4vd's home, while they allege that d4vd sent messages to her afterward as a cover-up. Meanwhile, the defense contends that there is not enough evidence to support the murder charge, and prosecutors are still considering whether to pursue the death penalty for d4vd.

(UPDATED July 27, 2026 22:22 UTC)

Singer d4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, is facing serious charges, including first-degree murder, in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was discovered in the trunk of his Tesla. A Los Angeles judge has ruled that there is sufficient evidence to proceed with the case, which has seen testimony from over ten witnesses during a five-day preliminary hearing, and d4vd has pleaded not guilty to the charges. An arraignment is scheduled for August 31, and the judge has ordered that he be held without bail as prosecutors allege he killed Celeste to prevent her from revealing details about their relationship that could jeopardize his career.