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Celeste Rivas Hernandez Was ‘Unrecognizable,’ Says Cop Who Saw Remains at D4vd Hearing
A preliminary hearing began in Los Angeles for musician D4vd, born David Anthony Burke, who is charged with murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez and dismembering her body, which was found in the front trunk of his car. Prosecutors showed graphic photographs of her remains in court, and a detective testified that decomposition had left her face "unrecognizable." The hearing matters because a judge must now decide whether there is sufficient evidence to send Burke to trial on murder, sexual abuse and other charges, which he denies.
Prosecutors allege Burke, 21, met Rivas online in January 2022 when she was 11, began abusing her sexually in November 2023, and killed her in April 2025 to cover up the abuse before dismembering her body, allegedly using an inflatable pool. He faces charges including first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains, with special circumstance allegations of witness murder, murder for financial gain and lying in wait. Bodycam footage played in court showed deputies visiting Burke's West Hollywood home in February 2024 after Rivas was reported missing, during which he denied wrongdoing; he was ultimately arrested in April 2026 and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
In short
- D4vd's murder hearing began with graphic remains photos shown in court.
- Detective said decomposition made victim's face unrecognizable.
- Prosecutors allege years of abuse before killing and dismemberment; Burke denies charges.
Explained simply
Celeste Rivas Hernandez was a 14-year-old girl who met musician David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, online in January 2022 when she was 11 years old. According to prosecutors, Burke began sexually abusing her in November 2023 and killed her in April 2025. He was arrested in April 2026, more than a year after her death.
Burke, 21, is charged with first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child and unlawful mutilation of human remains. The prosecution alleges that he killed her to cover up the abuse and then dismembered her body. Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
A judge is currently hearing evidence in Los Angeles to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to send the case to trial. In this preliminary hearing, prosecutors must demonstrate that their allegations have legal merit before the case can proceed further. It is a key stage in the criminal justice system.