Blood Found in D4vd’s Garage Belonged to Celeste Rivas Hernandez, LAPD Criminalist Testifies

**Singer D4vd Faces Murder Charges in Shocking Case Involving 14-Year-Old Celeste Rivas Hernandez**

The music industry is reeling following the shocking arrest of singer D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, in connection with the brutal murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The incident allegedly took place in April 2025, and Burke is currently facing multiple charges, including murder, continuous sexual abuse of a minor, and unlawful mutilation.

During a preliminary hearing held on July 23, 2025, evidence was presented that reportedly links Burke to the crime. Celeste Rivas’s remains were discovered in the front trunk of Burke’s Tesla, which had been impounded by authorities in September 2025. Forensic tests conducted by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) revealed that blood found on various items in Burke’s garage was matched to Rivas’s DNA.

LAPD criminalist Samantha Tosch testified that a range of items in Burke’s garage—including a black rubber mat, a green tarp, a Tesla charging plug, and a rowing machine—contained blood consistent with Rivas’s DNA. This evidence raised serious concerns over Burke’s involvement in the alleged dismemberment of the victim within the confines of his Hollywood Hills home.

Prosecutors allege that Burke, now 21, resorted to using extreme measures to conceal his crime after a confrontation with Rivas on April 23, 2025. According to court documents, the argument reportedly centred around Rivas threatening to reveal damaging information about her relationship with Burke, which the singer feared could jeopardise his burgeoning career as he prepared for the launch of his debut album.

Following the alleged murder, Burke is accused of dismembering Rivas’s body using tools purchased online. Items reportedly bought from Amazon and Home Depot include chainsaws, cadaver bags, and heavy-duty cleaning supplies. Prosecutors claim these tools were used to carry out the gruesome act before Burke disposed of the remains in his vehicle.

During the hearing, LAPD forensic expert Lisa LaHendro displayed Rivas’s clothing worn at the time of her death. The items, which included heavily soiled socks and a tube top, were described as being in a poor state, further corroborating the disturbing circumstances surrounding her death. LaHendro reported that the clothing was infested with insects, indicative of severe decomposition.

The harrowing details of the case have shocked the community, and Rivas’s family is understandably devastated. Her mother, Mercedes Martinez, was visibly emotional in court as a passport photo of her daughter was displayed, underscoring the tragedy of a young life cut short.

According to allegations presented by prosecutors, Burke and Rivas first met in January 2022, when Rivas was only 11 years old. A sexual relationship is claimed to have begun when Rivas was 13 and Burke was 18, raising serious questions about the nature of their interactions and prompting investigations into potential grooming behaviours.

As the court proceedings continue, there is a growing public interest in the case, heightened by the macabre nature of the evidence presented. Graphic photos depicting the scene, including the recovery of dismembered limbs and bloodied remains, were shown to attendees during the preliminary hearing, intensifying the emotional toll on those present.

This horrific incident is still unfolding, and with the legal process taking its course, the music world and the public will be closely watching to see how this harrowing case develops. D4vd’s career hangs in the balance as he faces a potential life sentence if convicted of the charges against him.