David Anthony Burke to stand trial for teen girl's murder
A Los Angeles judge has ruled that David Anthony Burke, the singer known as D4vd, will stand trial for murder in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Burke, 21, has pleaded not guilty to murder and child sexual abuse charges after a five-day preliminary hearing.
Key Takeaways
- Judge Charlaine Olmedo found probable cause for Burke to face murder and related charges.
- Prosecutors allege Burke stabbed Celeste after she threatened to expose their relationship.
- Remains were found in a Tesla linked to Burke; he has pleaded not guilty.
- A formal charging date is set for 31 August, with trial to start within 90 days after that.
What did the judge decide in David Anthony Burke's case?
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo ruled that evidence from the preliminary hearing provided probable cause for a trial. "The people have met their burden on all counts," she said.
Burke is charged with murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. The judge also found prosecutors met the threshold for murder with special circumstances, including lying in wait, motive for financial gain, and eliminating a witness.
According to BBC News, Burke is scheduled to be charged on 31 August, and the trial is to start within 90 days of that date. Follow more celebrity breaking news as the case moves forward.
Why do prosecutors say Burke killed Celeste Rivas Hernandez?
Prosecutors allege Burke stabbed the teen and later dismembered her body after years of sexual abuse. They say he killed her because she threatened to reveal his relationship with a minor and destroy his multi-million-dollar music career.
Court evidence included texts from 22 April 2025 in which Hernandez threatened Burke amid arguments about his friendship with another girl. Prosecutors say she went to his Hollywood home the next day in an Uber he sent, and that he stabbed her after she arrived.
Text evidence also indicated pregnancy and abortion when she was 13 and Burke was 19. Prosecutors presented iCloud data showing messages dating back to August 2022, when she was 11 and he was 17. They allege sexual abuse began when she was 13 and he was 18.
What has the defence argued so far?
Defence lawyers said there was not sufficient evidence that Burke committed the crime. They argued her parents were aware of the relationship and had given written consent for her to travel to London with him.
They also pointed to texts suggesting Celeste insisted on going to his Hollywood Hills home and that he argued against her coming before agreeing to send an Uber. Attorney Marilyn Bednarski said he "repeatedly expressed love and care for Ms Hernandez after they broke up."
The defence highlighted that the medical examiner could not prove how two penetrating wounds occurred and that no surveillance video captured Burke at home on the night of 23 April. Detective Corey Farrell said he was aware the teen had misrepresented her age, telling Burke she was 16 and 18 at different times.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said his office presented only a fraction of its evidence and had not yet decided whether to pursue the death penalty. Burke rose to fame with TikTok hits including Romantic Homicide and Here With Me; his tour was cancelled after the discovery of the remains.