Chilling new details have emerged surrounding the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, as Los Angeles County prosecutors laid out their evidence against musician David Anthony Burke, professionally known as d4vd.
According to court filings, the fatal conflict began on April 22, 2025, following a heated argument in which Rivas Hernandez threatened to expose damaging details about their relationship, potentially jeopardizing Burke’s lucrative music career just days before the scheduled release of his debut album.
Court documents detail a history between the two that began when the victim was 11 and Burke was 18, evolving into an abusive dynamic where the young runaway was allegedly manipulated and sexually exploited.
On the night of April 23, 2025, prosecutors state that Burke arranged an Uber to transport Rivas Hernandez to his Hollywood Hills residence. Authorities allege that shortly after her arrival, Burke repeatedly stabbed the teenager to silence her, standing by as she succumbed to her injuries.
Read more about this topic: D4vd bought chainsaw on Amazon and dismembered victim in kiddie pool (with videos)
In the days following the killing, prosecutors allege that Burke purchased an inflatable pool, a cadaver bag, heavy-duty laundry bags, and two chainsaws to conceal the crime. According to law enforcement, the suspect dismembered the victim’s body inside the inflatable pool to contain the scene, even removing specific fingers to erase a tattoo of his name, before storing her remains in the front trunk of his vehicle, according to a report by CNN.
The vehicle remained parked near his home while Burke embarked on an international concert tour, with authorities eventually discovering the teen’s body in September 2025 following reports of a foul odor.
Burke, who was arrested in April 2026, has pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder with special circumstances, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and mutilation of human remains.
His defense team maintains his innocence, asserting that evidence presented during trial will demonstrate he was not responsible for the teenager’s death. Meanwhile, legal representatives for the victim’s family expressed deep grief as legal proceedings move forward in Los Angeles.
