Singer David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, faces serious charges connected to the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The allegations against Burke include murder and unlawful mutilation of human remains and stem from events that took place in April 2025. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has confirmed that at the time of her death, Rivas was not pregnant, refuting speculation that had arisen after a previous amendment to her death certificate.
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Burke, now 21, has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which also encompass continuous sexual abuse of a minor. Prosecutors assert that Burke murdered Rivas after she threatened to disclose their sexual relationship, which allegedly began when she was just 13. The horrific nature of the case is further compounded by allegations that Burke dismembered Rivas’s body in an inflatable pool using a chainsaw inside a garage of a property he was renting in Los Angeles.
The grim discovery of Rivas’s dismembered remains occurred on September 8, 2025, when investigators found her body parts in the trunk of Burke’s impounded Tesla. The context around her death has provided insight into a troubling pattern of behaviour from Burke, including coercive control and a history of sexual abuse.
Recent court proceedings have revealed harrowing details from Burke’s preliminary hearing. Text messages presented as evidence suggest that Rivas discussed her fears about becoming pregnant and the impact it would have on their relationship, which, according to her messages, predominantly revolved around sexual activities. In a March 2025 exchange, weeks prior to her death, Rivas expressed a desire to distance herself from Burke, indicating her frustration with their relationship dynamic.
Detective Corey Farell from the Los Angeles Police Department testified that communications retrieved from Burke’s phone included Rivas sharing details about a pregnancy and subsequent abortion that took place in early 2024. These messages, which span a significant period, illustrate Rivas’s growing unease regarding the increasingly controlling nature of her relationship with Burke. As the hearing progressed, the emotional toll became apparent, especially for Rivas’s family, who were present in the courtroom.
The preliminary examination included testimony from a deputy medical examiner, who concluded that Rivas’s death was a homicide resulting from two penetrating injuries to her abdomen and chest. Defence counsel inquired whether it could be definitively determined who inflicted the fatal wounds, a question that remains contested. However, forensic evidence collected by investigators has linked Rivas’s DNA to Burke’s garage and vehicle, including blood-stained cleaning wipes.
Additionally, traces of blue material associated with Rivas’s remains matched the damage found on an inflatable pool, which prosecutors allege was the site of her dismemberment. Burke’s phone records suggest he made several late-night trips to a remote area after Rivas’s death, coinciding with the discovery of her passport card in the vicinity.
As the proceedings unfold, Burke faces severe repercussions if convicted, including the possibility of life imprisonment without parole or a death sentence, although prosecutors have yet to indicate whether they will pursue capital punishment. Currently, he remains in custody at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles and is due to be arraigned on August 31.
As the case progresses, it has drawn significant attention due to the gravity of the charges and the broader implications surrounding the protection of minors in relationships with adults. The tragic circumstances surrounding Celeste Rivas Hernandez underscore the critical need for societal awareness and action regarding child abuse and exploitation.