Los Angeles prosecutors opened a preliminary hearing Tuesday in the case against singer D4vd as a detective described courtroom evidence tied to the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. David Burke, who performs as D4vd, appeared in court as prosecutors outlined murder, child sex abuse and unlawful mutilation charges; the claims presented at the hearing are prosecutors’ allegations and have not been proven in court.
Latest from the D4vd hearing
The preliminary hearing is a procedural step to determine whether the case should move to trial. Prosecutors told the judge they will present evidence and call roughly 10 witnesses over the coming days, including homicide investigators and coroner’s staff. Prosecutors described charges against Burke as murder, child sex abuse and unlawful mutilation of human remains; those are alleged counts at this stage.
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman has said the charges are death-penalty eligible but had not publicly announced whether the office will seek capital punishment at this stage. Prosecutors told the court the hearing could last three to five days as they present testimony and limited physical evidence for the magistrate to review.
What prosecutors allege
Prosecutors allege that Burke met Celeste Rivas Hernandez when she was about 11 and that molestation began in November 2023, when she was approximately 13 and he was 18. Those claims were presented to the court as allegations and remain unproven.
Court filings and testimony introduced by prosecutors further allege that Burke and Celeste spent substantial time together in 2024, including trips prosecutors say took them to Las Vegas, London and Texas, and that Burke introduced her to members of his family. Prosecutors also allege a breakup in November 2024 preceded the events that led to her death.
Prosecutors said Burke ordered Celeste an Uber and then sent text messages after the killing in an alleged effort to cover up the crime. They also cited a radio interview Burke gave the morning after the alleged killing, in which he discussed turning loss into music; prosecutors referenced that interview during their presentation.
Courtroom testimony and evidence
LAPD homicide detective Joshua Byers testified for prosecutors about a scene investigators described as a trunk containing decomposing remains. Byers, according to court reporting, described finding maggots and other decomposition and said some remains were unrecognizable. Prosecutors told the court the remains had been dismembered and that two of the victim’s fingers with identifying tattoos were never recovered.
No cameras were permitted in the courtroom while prosecutors displayed images and described evidence. Court testimony and filings were the source of the descriptions introduced at the hearing; those descriptions are part of prosecutors’ allegations and have not been independently verified in court.
Victim, family and public context
Celeste’s parents, Jesus Rivas and Mercedes Martinez, attended the hearing and were present in the gallery during portions of testimony, according to reporting. Observers reported emotional reactions in the courtroom as graphic details were read by witnesses; those observations were reported by news outlets covering the proceeding.
Prosecutors highlighted a radio appearance Burke gave the day after the alleged killing. Reporting indicates the interview took place on The Zach Sang Show, where Burke discussed personal loss and referenced a song titled “Romantic Homicide.” Prosecutors referenced the interview during their presentation to the court.
Timeline of alleged events
- Met when victim was about 11: prosecutors allege an initial contact at that age.
- November 2023: prosecutors allege molestation began when the victim was about 13.
- 2024: prosecutors allege Burke and the victim spent significant time together, including trips to Las Vegas, London and Texas, and introductions to his family.
- November 2024: prosecutors allege the pair broke up.
- After the alleged killing: prosecutors allege decaying remains were found in the trunk of Burke’s Tesla, abandoned near his Hollywood Hills home.
- Morning after alleged killing: prosecutors allege Burke participated in a radio interview discussing his music.
Potential penalties and what comes next
The charges against Burke are death-penalty eligible, prosecutors said, though the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office has not announced a decision on seeking capital punishment. Prosecutors noted that if the death penalty is not pursued, Burke could face life without the possibility of parole if convicted of the most serious counts.
At the preliminary hearing prosecutors plan to present a limited set of evidence and testimony to establish whether there is probable cause to bind the case over for trial. Prosecutors have said they will call about 10 witnesses, including homicide detectives and coroner’s personnel; additional evidence and expert testimony would be presented at trial if the case advances.
Key takeaways
The preliminary hearing is not a determination of guilt. Many of the details introduced in court were described by prosecutors as allegations drawn from investigative work and witness testimony; those allegations must be tested in trial for any finding of guilt.
FAQ
What charges does D4vd face?
Prosecutors charged Burke with murder, child sex abuse and unlawful mutilation of human remains, and presented those counts during the preliminary hearing as allegations.
Will prosecutors seek the death penalty?
The district attorney’s office has said the charges are death-penalty eligible but has not publicly announced whether it will seek capital punishment at this stage.
What happens at a preliminary hearing?
A preliminary hearing determines whether prosecutors have sufficient evidence to send a case to trial. Witnesses may testify and limited evidence can be shown; the hearing is not a trial on guilt or innocence.
Source attribution: Reporting by Fox News on the Los Angeles preliminary hearing. All allegations described above were presented by prosecutors in court or in court filings and remain allegations until proven in a court of law.
