Prosecutors Allege Singer D4vd Stabbed 14-Year-Old Celeste Rivas Hernandez to Silence Her Threats

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Prosecutors announced on April 29 that singer D4vd, legally known as David Burke, is accused of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Authorities allege that Burke stabbed her multiple times and subsequently dismembered her body using chainsaws in his garage.

Allegations of a Violent Crime

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office detailed the allegations in a court filing, which outlines the evidence they plan to present at an upcoming preliminary hearing. According to the filing, Burke met Rivas Hernandez when she was 11 years old. He allegedly began sexually abusing her when she turned 13, while he was 18. Prosecutors claim he killed her after she threatened to expose their inappropriate relationship.

The court document states, “Knowing he had to silence the victim before she ruined his music career as she had threatened, very soon after her arrival at his home, defendant stabbed the victim to death multiple times and stood by while she bled out.”

Burke has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges, asserting his innocence through his legal representation.

Discovery of the Body

Rivas Hernandez’s body was discovered in a decomposed state inside a Tesla that had been towed from the Hollywood Hills in September of the previous year. Prosecutors indicated that they have obtained text messages that illustrate the nature of their relationship, including child sexual abuse images found on Burke’s phone.

The filing reveals that the messages reflect Rivas Hernandez’s jealousy over Burke’s relationships with other women. She allegedly expressed distress and threatened to disclose damaging information about their relationship, which prosecutors argue was a motive for her murder.

Timeline of Events

On the night of April 23, 2025, Burke reportedly sent a rideshare vehicle to pick up Rivas Hernandez from her hometown of Lake Elsinore, approximately 80 miles outside of Los Angeles. They exchanged messages until she arrived at his home, after which her phone ceased all activity.

Prosecutors allege that Burke sent her a late-night message in an attempt to cover up the killing. The preliminary hearing, set to begin on May 26, will allow a judge to determine if there is probable cause to proceed to trial.

Evidence of Dismemberment

The court filing details that Burke purchased two chainsaws online and used them to dismember Rivas Hernandez’s body in an inflatable pool located in his garage, where her DNA was later discovered. Prosecutors stated, “Defendant took horrifying measures to destroy and discard the victim’s body.”

Burke allegedly made three trips to Lake Cachuma in Santa Barbara County, about 110 miles northwest of his residence, to dispose of evidence. Her passport was reportedly found there in January.

On April 24, the day following Rivas Hernandez’s death, Burke participated in a radio interview and hosted a record-release party for his debut album, “Withered,” which was released the next day. Prosecutors claim he concealed her body in his Tesla and misled friends and business associates who inquired about unusual odors.

Condition of the Victim

The condition of Rivas Hernandez’s body was so severely degraded that forensic examiners were unable to determine her eye color. At the time of her death, she had braces and a tattoo that read “Shhh…” on one finger, along with Burke’s name. Reports indicate that two fingers, along with parts of her arms and legs, were missing.

An autopsy report confirmed that she died from penetrating wounds. Prosecutors noted that Rivas Hernandez’s parents reported her missing from their home in Lake Elsinore in February 2024. Following this report, Riverside County Sheriff’s detectives contacted Burke, who claimed he had only met her once and was unaware that she was a minor.

After Rivas Hernandez returned home in February, her parents confiscated her cellphone. However, Burke allegedly traveled to her hometown and paid a friend $1,000 to provide her with a new phone for continued communication.

Rivas Hernandez was reported missing again in April 2024. The court documents indicate that she spent significant time at Burke’s Hollywood Hills residence that year and traveled with him to various locations, including Las Vegas, London, and Texas.

Legal Proceedings

During a recent hearing, Burke’s defense attorneys requested that the court seal the document containing these allegations, but the request was denied by Superior Court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo. The defense has not publicly shared its version of events.

Burke was arrested on April 16 and has pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a person under 14, and mutilating a dead body. He faces the possibility of the death penalty, although prosecutors have not yet made a decision regarding that option.

Burke initially gained fame as a musician, creating content for YouTube videos related to the video game Fortnite during his teenage years. His music, which blends indie rock, R&B, and lo-fi pop, garnered significant attention on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, SoundCloud, and Spotify. His breakthrough single, “Romantic Homicide,” has accumulated over a billion plays. In 2023, he released two EPs and opened for SZA on tour.

He performed at the Coachella music festival shortly before the alleged murder of Rivas Hernandez and was actively promoting his album when her body was discovered. It took seven months for authorities to arrest him following the incident.

For further details, refer to the original reporting source at www.billboard.com.

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Published on 2026-04-30 19:03:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk