Singer D4vd Ordered to Stand Trial in Killing of 14-Year-Old

By Dana Whitfield. Aug 4, 2026

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled on July 27 that singer D4vd - whose legal name is David Anthony Burke - must stand trial in the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Prosecutors allege he killed her after she threatened to expose their relationship and damage his rising music career. Burke has pleaded not guilty.

Celeste Rivas Hernandez Had Been Reported Missing Before

Celeste Rivas Hernandez had been reported missing multiple times before she disappeared for the final time. She was 14 years old. Investigators later linked her to Burke, who had built a large audience through his music and social media presence. Prosecutors allege the two had an illegal sexual relationship and that Celeste threatened to reveal it.

A Tow Yard, a Smell, and a Tesla

In September 2025, workers at a Los Angeles tow yard where Burke’s Tesla had been impounded reported a foul smell from the vehicle. Investigators opened the car’s front trunk and found Celeste’s dismembered remains. The Tesla was registered to Burke.

Burke was arrested on April 16, 2026. He was charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances, continuous sexual abuse of a child under age 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. Prosecutors allege the special circumstances include lying in wait, financial gain, and silencing a witness.

Text messages introduced at the preliminary hearing showed communications between Burke and Celeste in the period before her death. Prosecutors told the court she had threatened to expose their relationship and that Burke viewed the threat as a danger to his music career.

A Five-Day Hearing Ended With a Trial Order

A five-day preliminary hearing concluded on July 27, 2026, with the judge ruling that prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. A detective testified about the content of the text exchanges and about the investigation’s timeline leading to Burke’s arrest.

Burke, 21, remains in custody without bail. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His next court appearance is scheduled for August 31, when he is expected to be arraigned following the preliminary hearing ruling.

Her Family Said the Trial Order Brought Relief

An attorney for Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s family said they were relieved by the judge’s decision and thanked prosecutors and investigators for their work. The trial will test the prosecution’s allegations, including the text messages, physical evidence, and timeline presented during the five-day hearing. No trial date has been announced.

References: Judge rules D4vd must stand trial - WashPost | Trial order - CNN | D4vd to stand trial - NBC Los Angeles