LOS ANGELES – A status conference is scheduled Wednesday for David Burke, known professionally as D4vd, who has been charged with the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The teen’s dismembered remains were found in September 2025 inside a Tesla registered to the singer at a Hollywood tow yard.
What we know:
Wednesday’s hearing is expected to determine whether the case is ready to move forward to a full preliminary hearing later this month.
What was D4vd charged with?
Burke was arrested on April 17 and three days later, he was formally charged with first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
The criminal complaint also includes special circumstance allegations of murder of a witness, murder for financial gain, and lying in wait. If convicted, the singer faces the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said a decision on whether to seek the death penalty will be made at a later date.
It has been 20 years since an inmate was executed in California. State officials said Clarence Ray Allen was the last individual executed by lethal injection, on Jan. 17, 2006.
What was Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s cause of death?
An autopsy report released by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Rivas Hernandez’s cause of death was homicide caused by “multiple penetrating injuries with unspecified objects.”
The other side:
The singer and his defense team have maintained his innocence.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
Key Dates in the Case
Timeline:
See a list of key dates below.
Feb. 17, 2024: Deputies conduct a welfare check, during which Burke is informed that Rivas-Hernandez is only 13 years old.April 2024: Rivas-Hernandez is reported missing for a second time.April 22, 2025: Rivas-Hernandez allegedly threatens to expose the relationship during an argument.April 23, 2025: Investigators believe Rivas-Hernandez is murdered on this day.April 24, 2025: Burke allegedly orders a shovel via Postmates.April 25, 2025: Burke’s debut album, Withered, is officially released.May 1–5, 2025: Burke allegedly used an alias to acquire chainsaws, a body bag, and an inflatable pool.July 7, 2025: Burke allegedly orders a burn cage.Sept. 8, 2025: Remains are discovered inside a Tesla at a Hollywood tow yard.April 17, 2026: Burke is arrested on suspicion of murder.April 29, 2026: Graphic dismemberment details are revealed during a preliminary court hearing.May 12, 2026: A major court date was postponed to allow the singer’s legal team to review more evidence
What’s next:
The upcoming hearings will indicate if the case officially moves to trial.
MORE COVERAGE ABOUT THE KILLING OF CELESTE RIVAS HERNANDEZ
The Source: This report is based on formal criminal complaints and case filings from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, autopsy findings from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, and previous FOX 11 reports.