A Los Angeles judge ruled Monday that musician D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, must stand trial in the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. According to Rolling Stone, Judge Charlaine Olmedo said prosecutors met their burden of proof at the preliminary hearing and ordered Burke to answer to the charges.
Prosecutors allege Burke murdered Rivas when she was 14 years old. In court, Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman said the evidence showed years of abuse, grooming and manipulation before the killing, while the defense argued there was not enough evidence to support a first-degree murder charge.
Burke’s lawyer, Marilyn Bednarski, said Rivas had come to his home on her own on the night of April 23, 2025, and argued the texts shown in court did not point to homicidal intent. She told the court that Burke had continued expressing love and care for Rivas even after they broke up.
Burke also faces charges of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains. Prosecutors allege Rivas’ body was dismembered in his garage, placed in bags, and hidden in the front trunk of his Tesla. Burke’s re-arraignment has been scheduled for August 31.
