A Los Angeles judge is weighing whether the singer will stand trial in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. He has pleaded not guilty.
The hearing
The singer known as D4vd appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom this week for a preliminary hearing in the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. His legal name is David Anthony Burke.
A preliminary hearing is not a trial. It is a step where a judge decides whether there is enough evidence for a case to move forward to trial.
Burke, 21, has pleaded not guilty. His lawyers say he did not kill Rivas Hernandez and was not the cause of her death.
The charges
Prosecutors have charged Burke with murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and mutilation of a body. The charges include special circumstances, which means a conviction could carry a life sentence.
Prosecutors allege that Burke killed the girl to stop her from revealing their relationship, which they say would have harmed his music career. His defense team disputes the allegations.
Rivas Hernandez had been reported missing from Lake Elsinore. Her remains were found in September 2025 in a car linked to Burke, according to prosecutors.
The forensic testimony
Over several days, police criminalists testified about evidence they said they collected from Burke’s home and vehicle. One Los Angeles Police Department criminalist testified that she found possible blood stains on mats in the garage.
Prosecutors said in a court filing that blood found in the garage matched the DNA of Rivas Hernandez. Another criminalist testified about DNA evidence collected from items at the property.
The criminalist also testified that she did not find blood on tools that purchase records showed Burke had ordered. Defense attorneys questioned how the evidence was collected, offering a preview of a possible trial strategy.
Investigators also described financial records and online purchase history presented as part of the prosecution’s case.
What happens next
The judge is still weighing whether there is enough evidence for Burke to stand trial. If the case proceeds, a trial date would be set later.
Burke remains in custody. He has not been convicted of any crime.
