The ongoing preliminary hearing for David “D4vd” Burke, a musician charged with the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, has revealed crucial details regarding the events leading to her death. Rivas’s dismembered remains were discovered in the front trunk of Burke’s Tesla in September 2025. The heartrending case has raised significant concerns regarding issues of child sexual exploitation and the nature of their relationship.
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During the latest court proceedings, which took place on July 27, 2025, Los Angeles Police Department detective Corey Farrell presented evidence consisting of text messages exchanged between Burke and Rivas. These messages were exchanged shortly before her alleged murder on April 23 of that year. Prosecutors assert that Burke fatally stabbed Rivas during a heated argument, just one day after a tumultuous exchange of texts where the young girl expressed her distress over Burke’s friendship with another woman.
Rivas’s messages indicated a complex and troubling dynamic. In one notable text from April 22, she confronted Burke, stating, “And u rlly saying you’d end ur friendship just to be friends w her over me is disturbing and disgusting to me on a deeper level david.” Burke’s reply was dismissive, prompting Rivas to lash out, saying that she would “end your career and your life.” This fraught interaction took place just hours before she visited Burke’s home, where prosecutors believe she was ultimately killed.
The sequence of messages continues to paint a troubling picture. The day of her death, Rivas texted Burke to inform him that he had “1 more chance” to be truthful with her. She warned that if he continued to associate with the other woman, she would disclose details about their relationship. Following this exchange, Burke arranged for an Uber to take Rivas from her home to his residence in West Hollywood.
The timeline suggests that there were crucial moments leading up to the alleged crime. Burke’s texts later that night became increasingly frantic; after initially confirming Rivas’s arrival, his messages turned into desperate inquiries about her whereabouts. Prosecutors allege there is a gap between 10:10 and 10:31 p.m. when Rivas was last heard from, with her tragically dying in that time frame.
As investigators delved deeper into the case, they uncovered more disturbing information. Farrell testified that authorities found numerous explicit images involving Rivas on Burke’s iPhone, further underscoring the nature of their illicit relationship. Rivas’s mother, Mercedes Martinez, was present during the courtroom proceedings and visibly upset as details emerged about her daughter’s tragic fate, highlighting the emotional toll of the ongoing case.
The early stages of the relationship began in August 2022, when Rivas was just 11 years old. Prosecutors contend that by November 2023, when she was 13 and Burke was 18, their relationship escalated to a sexual one. Rivas’s earlier communications hinted at her desire for a more profound connection, expressing to Burke her frustration that their interactions were solely sexual.
In the days following Rivas’s disappearance, Burke’s car was impounded, leading to the grisly discovery of her remains in early September. Autopsy results revealed that Rivas had suffered serious injuries, including two penetrating wounds that ultimately proved fatal. The medical examiner indicated that Rivas would have survived only a few minutes to an hour after sustaining these injuries, complicating the timeline further.
In a shocking revelation, prosecutors also allege that Burke obtained tools and supplies for the dismemberment and disposal of Rivas’s body, including items purchased from online retailers and home improvement stores. These included chainsaws and heavy-duty bags. The investigation revealed evidence that Burke may have intended to dispose of the body in a manner designed to evade detection.
The case has sparked widespread outrage and concern over the circumstances surrounding child exploitation and violent crime. As the preliminary hearing continues, the focus is not only on the tragic loss of a young life but also on the broader implications of such serious charges against a figure in the public eye. The proceedings will likely attract considerable attention as evidence continues to unfold and the judicial process plays out.