D4vd Faces Murder Trial Following Preliminary Hearing
Ninoda.com – A Los Angeles judge has determined that American musician D4vd must stand trial for the murder of a teenager. The ruling concluded a five-day preliminary proceeding where prosecutors examined twelve witnesses and presented photographic proof while the victim’s relatives observed from the gallery.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez, aged fourteen, was discovered deceased last September. Her remains were located inside a Tesla vehicle registered to the address of David Anthony Burke, the performer’s legal name. The twenty-one-year-old artist has entered a not guilty plea to accusations of both murder and sexual abuse.
Prosecution’s Case and Motive
Authorities contend that Burke stabbed the adolescent before cutting her body into pieces following what they describe as years of sexual mistreatment. According to prosecutors, the killing occurred because the girl had threatened to expose his relationship with someone under eighteen, potentially ruining his lucrative music business worth millions of dollars.
Court documents revealed messages that Hernandez sent to Burke on April 22, 2025. These communications arose from disputes regarding his connection with another young woman.
“I swear to GOD I will kill u”
One message contained profanity and included warnings about strangling him and spreading falsehoods to her father. Another text stated:
“i will end ur career and ur life I will damage anything”
Events of the Night
On April 23, 2025, Hernandez traveled to Burke’s Hollywood residence using an Uber service that the singer had arranged for her. Prosecutors maintain that Burke stabbed her upon her arrival at the property.
During Monday’s hearing, Los Angeles Police Department Detective Corey Farrell testified that text conversations showed the defendant and the girl had attended church together with her family members. Farrell also noted that Hernandez had told Burke different ages—sixteen and eighteen—at various points in time.
Defense Arguments
Attorneys representing Burke contended that insufficient proof exists to establish guilt. They pointed out that her parents knew about the relationship and provided written permission for her to visit London with Burke for seven days.
The defense team emphasized text messages indicating that Celeste had insisted on visiting Burke’s Hollywood Hills residence on the evening of April 23, 2025, while Burke had apparently opposed her coming that night. Defense attorney Marilyn Bednarski told the court:
He “repeatedly expressed love and care for Ms Hernandez after they broke up”
Additionally, the defense highlighted that the medical examiner could not definitively determine how two penetrating injuries occurred in the victim’s body. They also noted the absence of surveillance footage showing Burke at home during the critical evening.
Judge’s Ruling and Next Steps
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo concluded that prosecutors satisfied the probable cause requirement, which represents a lower evidentiary standard than the “beyond a reasonable doubt” threshold needed for conviction.
“The people have met their burden on all counts,” Judge Olmedo declared. She determined that evidence supported the murder charge with special circumstances, including lying in wait, financial gain as motivation, and witness elimination.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated after the hearing that his office had presented only part of the available evidence and would introduce everything during the full trial. He also mentioned that the decision regarding whether to seek the death penalty for Burke remains pending.
The arraignment for Burke is set for August 31, with the trial expected to commence within ninety days of that date. BBC’s Fame Under Fire podcast continues to provide updates from the Los Angeles courtroom proceedings.
