A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge has ruled that sufficient evidence exists for singer David Anthony Burke to face trial on murder charges. The decision was made following a five-day preliminary hearing, which concluded on Monday, July 27, 2026. Burke is accused of the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, as well as the dismemberment of her body in April 2025. Currently, he remains at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility, where he is held under intense scrutiny due to the serious nature of the charges.
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Prosecutors assert that the relationship between Burke and Hernandez started when she was just 13 years old and he was 18. It is alleged that Hernandez threatened to expose their illicit conduct, prompting Burke to commit the heinous act. Since his arrest on April 16, Burke has been kept in isolation at the correctional facility, where he follows a regimented routine designed for high-risk inmates.
Burke is facing numerous serious charges, including first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. Despite the weight of these accusations, sources indicate that he has adapted to life in jail with minimal incident, reportedly accruing no disciplinary infractions since entering custody. He spends his days alone, under constant supervision, and is allowed limited movement within the facility. His daily schedule involves frequent checks by supervisory staff and regular meal times, which are strictly upheld.
The structure of Burke’s daily life is notably repetitive, with meals comprising predominantly cold items, punctuated by a hot dinner. Those responsible for overseeing him employ rigorous protocols, including 24-hour monitoring and regular welfare checks. During his time in custody, Burke has had no visitors and is housed amongst inmates known to have significant mental health issues.
The preliminary hearing, which took place in late July, highlighted the prosecution’s case, built on forensic evidence, digital communications, and witness testimonies. Prosecutor Beth Silverman outlined a disturbing narrative in which Burke allegedly ordered an Uber for Hernandez to his home, where he fatally stabbed her. Following the murder, it is claimed he attempted to conceal the evidence by placing her body in an inflatable pool to contain the blood before dismembering her with a chainsaw.
A forensic expert testified that Hernandez sustained two serious injuries leading to her death – damage to her liver and ribs from the stab wounds. It was also reported that Burke had allegedly purchased an inflatable pool under a pseudonym, from which plastic fragments matching the pool were found in connection with the victim’s remains. Additionally, DNA evidence pointed to Hernandez’s presence in his garage and vehicle, while Burke’s DNA was identified on cleaning materials found with her blood.
Throughout the hearing, prosecutors argued that Burke sent messages to Hernandez’s phone and attempted to call her after her death, suggesting a conscious effort to cover the crime. His legal defence team sought to challenge many aspects of the prosecution’s evidence during cross-examination of their witnesses.
Judge Olmedo’s ruling to advance the case to trial means Burke must now contend with the gravity of these allegations in court. As the proceedings continue, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman reiterated the severity of the situation, stating that Burke may be eligible for the death penalty, a consideration that is still under review.
The formal arraignment to address the charges, including a special circumstance address concerning lying in wait, is set to take place on August 31 at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center. It remains to be seen how the case will unfold, especially given the chilling details that have come to light during the preliminary hearing. The community and those following the case are awaiting further developments as the judicial process continues, amidst ongoing concerns about the implications of the alleged crimes.