D4vd Set for Death Penalty Trial After Alleged Murder of 13-Year-Old Girl

By Zoe Papadakis | Tuesday, 21 July 2026 11:25 AM EDT

Singer D4vd is set to appear in a Los Angeles courtroom on Tuesday as prosecutors begin presenting their case to determine if the 21-year-old musician will stand trial for the sexual abuse, murder, and mutilation of 13-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

The preliminary hearing follows a series of delays driven by the extensive volume of evidence collected by investigators. The proceeding is expected to conclude on Thursday. The musician, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Held without bail since his April arrest, he faces the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted of murder.

Los Angeles County prosecutors allege that Burke stabbed Hernandez to death at his residence last April to silence her after their sexual relationship allegedly began in November 2023 when he was 18 and she was 13, as his career was gaining traction. According to court filings, Burke mutilated her body with a chainsaw, severed her ring finger—which bore a tattoo of his name—and left her dismembered limbs inside a Tesla.

An April court brief details the evidence prosecutors intend to present during the hearing. This includes text messages between Burke and Hernandez that document their sexual relations and her threats to expose him. Additional evidence consists of surveillance footage showing Burke driving the Tesla in July 2025, receipts for two chainsaws and a body bag, and forensic testing matching bloodstains found in his garage to Hernandez’s genetic profile.

The girl’s decomposed remains were discovered in September 2025 inside an impounded Tesla at a Hollywood tow yard. A manager reported the vehicle to law enforcement after noticing flies and a pungent odor. The discovery led to the immediate cancellation of Burke’s international tour supporting his debut album “Withered,” which had launched two months prior following his initial rise to prominence via viral TikTok singles. Former collaborators have since severed professional ties with the singer.

Defense attorneys maintain that Burke was not responsible for the killing, stating in a statement to People at the time of his arrest: “Let us be clear — the actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez, and he was not the cause of her death.”

Following Burke’s arrest in April, Hernandez’s family released a statement remembering the teenager: “Celeste was a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance. Every Friday night was movie night, and we spent wonderful times together. We love her very much, and she always told us that she loved us. We miss her deeply. All we want is justice for Celeste.”