Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo has ruled that a 21‑year‑old U.S. singer, known onstage as D4vd, will go on trial for the murder of a 14‑year‑old girl, Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
During a five‑day preliminary hearing, prosecutors presented graphic photographs of the girl’s dismembered body, text‑message evidence showing a history of abuse, and proof that Burke ordered chainsaws and other tools after the murder. The defense argued a lack of surveillance footage and insufficient forensic testing signaled that the evidence was inconclusive. Burke pleaded not guilty to murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
The prosecution claims Burke stabbed the teenager, dismembered her, and threatened to destroy his music career to silence her. They cite a series of threatening texts from the girl dated April 22–23, 2025, in which they threatened to “kill” Burke and “end his career.” The judge found that the evidence met the threshold for a murder charge with special circumstances, including lying in wait and eliminating a witness.
Burke’s attorneys contended the girl’s parents had given written consent for her to travel with the singer and had been aware of the original arrangement. They also highlighted the inconclusive DNA testing of chainsaws found in Burke’s garage, which were not tested for blood, arguing this called the handling of evidence into question.
A Los Angeles police detective testified that Burke ordered a body bag, chainsaws, an inflatable pool and a shovel online immediately after the murder, suggesting premeditation. The defense noted that a Makita chainsaw used in the dismemberment had not been recovered by investigators, putting a question mark over the chain‑saw evidence.
The prosecutor’s office stated they presented only a fraction of the evidence against Burke, promising to disclose the full case at trial. They also indicated they had not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty.
To hear the full courtroom narrative, listen to BBC’s Fame Under Fire podcast.
