A preliminary hearing in Los Angeles is determining whether David Anthony Burke — the musician who performs as D4vd — will stand trial in the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who was 14.
Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include first-degree murder, sexual abuse of a child, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. The hearing began on July 21 and has continued through the week.
What this proceeding is
A preliminary hearing is not a trial. There is no jury, and no finding of guilt is available to the judge. The single question is whether prosecutors have established probable cause — enough evidence to send the case forward.
That standard is considerably lower than the one required to convict. Everything described below is evidence prosecutors have presented and the defense has had the opportunity to challenge. None of it has been found to be true by a court.
What prosecutors allege
Prosecutors say Burke began a sexual relationship with Rivas Hernandez in 2023, when she was 13 and he was 18. They allege that she later threatened to make the relationship public, and that Burke killed her to prevent that.
Testimony this week addressed a pregnancy, according to reporting from the courtroom, along with the nature of the alleged abuse. We are not detailing that testimony here. It concerns a child who is dead and cannot consent to its publication, and the specifics do not change what a reader needs to understand about the case.
Her remains were found in an impounded vehicle in Los Angeles on September 8, 2025. Burke was arrested and charged in April 2026 after a months-long investigation.
The evidence described in court
A DNA analyst testified that material recovered from apparent blood staining in the garage of Burke's Hollywood home was a strong match to Rivas Hernandez.
An LAPD detective testified about images recovered from Burke's phone, some of which he described as sexual in nature and involving Rivas Hernandez. Other testimony covered Burke's phone location data in the days after prosecutors say she was killed, and prosecutors have said he continued texting and calling her phone, asking where she was, after her death.
A sheriff's deputy testified about a welfare check conducted at Burke's home in 2024 — a detail that matters because it indicates concern about Rivas Hernandez had reached authorities more than a year before she was found.
The hearing has also included graphic testimony about the condition of her remains. We have not reproduced it. It has been widely republished elsewhere, and there is no version of that material that serves readers rather than simply circulating.
What happens next
If the judge finds probable cause, the case is bound over for trial and Burke will be arraigned on the information. If not, charges can be reduced or dismissed. The hearing was expected to run several days as prosecutors call witnesses.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse, the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline is available at 1-800-656-4673, and the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453. Both operate 24 hours a day.
