What Happened: The April 29 Prosecution Brief

On April 29, 2026 — one week before the initially scheduled May 1 hearing — prosecutors filed a 9-page public brief laying out evidence against singer D4vd (David Anthony Burke), 21. The filing was the most detailed public disclosure yet in the case, and though defense attorneys tried to have it sealed, the judge denied the request.

The brief reveals prosecutors allege:

D4vd met Celeste Rivas Hernandez when she was 11 years old. By age 13, he initiated a sexual relationship with her while he was 18. On April 23, 2025 — one year to the day before his April 23 court appearance — Celeste came to his Hollywood Hills home. Prosecutors say that within minutes of her arrival, Burke "stabbed the victim to death multiple times" after she threatened to expose their relationship and destroy his music career. He then bought tools online, including two chainsaws, and attempted to dispose of her body in his garage over the following weeks.

Her dismembered remains were found Sept. 8, 2025, in two bags inside the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke — the car had been abandoned and impounded in Hollywood Hills. The head and torso were in one cadaver bag; the severed limbs and other remains in another.

The Evidence: What Prosecutors Plan to Present at May 26

Digital Evidence

Prosecutors recovered 40 terabytes of data from Burke's devices:

Physical Evidence

Witness Testimony

Motive Evidence

Text messages from April 23, 2025 — the night Celeste was allegedly killed — show she "became extremely upset and threatened to disclose damaging information about her relationship with defendant to end his career and destroy his life." Prosecutors allege financial gain as motive: Burke killed Celeste to preserve his music career.

Case Timeline

The May 26 Hearing: What It Means

A preliminary evidentiary hearing is not a trial — it's a judge-only proceeding where prosecutors must demonstrate probable cause that Burke committed the alleged crimes. The burden is lower than trial ("preponderance of evidence," not "beyond reasonable doubt").

Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo will decide:

  1. Is there probable cause to believe Burke murdered Celeste?
  2. Is there probable cause to believe he sexually abused her?
  3. Is there probable cause to believe he mutilated her remains?

If probable cause is found: Burke proceeds to trial, where prosecutors must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

If probable cause is NOT found: Burke could be released or charges could be reduced.

The prosecution estimates their presentation will take 4–5 days. Defense cross-examination will follow. Burke remains in custody without bail.

The Charges: What Burke Faces

Burke is charged with:

  1. First-degree murder with special circumstances
  1. Continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14
  1. Unlawful mutilation of human remains

Burke has pleaded not guilty to all counts. His defense team states: "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."

Why This Case Matters

D4vd was Google's #1 most-searched person globally in 2025. The 21-year-old rose to fame on TikTok with songs like Romantic Homicide and Here With Me, accumulating millions of followers and billions of streams. He performed at Coachella and built a career reaching primarily young audiences.

The case highlights broader concerns about:

Celeste Rivas Hernandez — described by her family as "a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance" — was reported missing three times by her mother between February and April 2024. She was 14 when she died.

What's Next: Trial Timeline

Following the May 26 hearing:

The Murder Channel Coverage

View the full D4vd case timeline and updates →

D4vd will return to court on May 26, 2026, for a hearing that will determine the trajectory of one of 2025's most shocking murder cases. Follow The Murder Channel for updates as the case unfolds.