A Los Angeles judge has formally ordered rising U.S. musician D4vd, born David Anthony Burke, to face a criminal trial on charges of murder and sexual abuse connected to the 2025 death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The binding ruling caps a five-day preliminary hearing that saw prosecutors call 12 witnesses, present graphic photographic evidence, and lay out their case as the victim’s family observed court proceedings.
Authorities first discovered Hernandez’s remains last September inside a Tesla registered to an address linked to 21-year-old Burke. The emerging music artist has repeatedly denied all charges against him, entering a not guilty plea earlier in the legal process. His formal arraignment is scheduled for August 31, with the full trial set to kick off no later than 90 days after that court appearance.
Prosecutors have laid out a detailed narrative of the alleged crime, claiming Burke carried out a prolonged pattern of sexual abuse against the teen before murdering her. They argue the killing was motivated by Hernandez’s threat to expose his inappropriate relationship with a minor, an act that would have ruined Burke’s multi-million dollar entertainment career. Court records introduced during the hearing include threatening text messages Hernandez sent to Burke on April 22, 2025, amid a heated argument over his friendship with another girl. The messages, laced with expletives, included threats to kill Burke, strangle him, fabricate lies to tell her father, and end both his career and his life.
According to prosecution testimony, the day after sending those messages, Hernandez traveled to Burke’s private residence in Hollywood via an Uber that Burke himself arranged to pick her up. Prosecutors allege that immediately after she arrived at the property, Burke fatally stabbed her before dismembering her body to cover up the crime.
The case has sent shockwaves through the U.S. music industry, where Burke had built a growing fanbase and commercial success in recent years. Legal proceedings are moving forward on a tight timeline as both sides prepare for a high-profile trial that will draw widespread public and media attention.