A Los Angeles judge ruled that singer D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, will face trial for the 2025 murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, citing overwhelming evidence including text messages, photos, and testimony about a years-long sexual relationship and alleged abortion.
The decision came after a five-day preliminary hearing in which prosecutors presented graphic evidence, including photos of Hernandez’s dismembered body found in Burke’s Tesla in September 2025, and text messages detailing her threats to expose their relationship. hollywoodreporter.com ordered Burke held without bail, with an arraignment set for August 31.
Judge Rules Murder Case Will Proceed
Hernandez’s remains were discovered in a Tesla registered to Burke in September 2025, months after she died in April 2025. Prosecutors allege Burke stabbed her to death when she arrived at his Hollywood Hills home, citing a final text message she sent: girly pop I’m almost there open ur door if ur home.
The judge also found probable cause for “lying in wait” and killing a potential witness, which could qualify Burke for the death penalty.
Prosecutors Detail Years of Abuse and Threats
Prosecutors described a years-long pattern of abuse, starting when Hernandez was 11 and Burke was 18. They presented photos of the pair kissing and lying in bed, as well as text messages from 2024 about an abortion Hernandez allegedly underwent. A minor who was not only under the eyes of the law at least sexually abused for many many months, she was groomed … she was being gaslit,
Silverman said, per the Hollywood Reporter.
Hernandez sent multiple texts threatening to expose Burke’s relationship, including one where she wrote: I will tell my dad so many fucking lies about u dead ass I will end ur career and ur life I will damage anything.
Another message read: i will end ur career and ur life.
These texts, along with evidence of Burke ordering chain saws and wading pools, were central to the prosecution’s case.
Defense Challenges Evidence for Murder
Burke’s defense attorney, Marilyn Bednarski, argued that prosecutors failed to prove a deliberate intention to kill,
claiming the communications between Burke and Hernandez showed the opposite of homicidal animus.
She criticized the medical examiner’s ruling that her death was a homicide from two puncture wounds as too vague and inconclusive.
Bednarski did not offer an alternative theory for Hernandez’s death, focusing instead on disputing the murder charge. The defense also did not address the sexual abuse or mutilation allegations, which the judge found sufficient for trial. Burke, who has pleaded not guilty, remains in custody without bail.
Timeline of the Case and Next Steps
The case began in September 2025 when Hernandez’s dismembered body was found in Burke’s Tesla. She had been reported missing in April 2025, the same month she allegedly died. Prosecutors said Burke drove the vehicle for weeks with her remains, hiding the body in his garage before abandoning the car in the Hollywood Hills.
The judge’s ruling clears the way for a trial, which could begin as soon as 60 days after the August 31 arraignment. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s office has not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty, though prosecutors indicated they have a small fraction
of the evidence they plan to use.
What This Means for D4vd and the Music Industry
D4vd, a rising bedroom pop artist signed to Interscope Records, was on tour when Hernandez’s remains were found. His label has since removed him from its roster, and his career appears to be in jeopardy. The case has drawn attention to the vulnerabilities of minors in the entertainment industry, with prosecutors highlighting how Hernandez was “groomed” and “gaslit” over years.
Prosecutors have emphasized the severity of the alleged crimes, with Silverman stating that the evidence “overwhelmingly” supports the charges. Burke’s legal team has yet to comment beyond the courtroom, but the case is expected to remain a focal point of public and legal scrutiny.
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