A Los Angeles judge has ruled that US musician D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, will stand trial for the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, following a five-day preliminary hearing in which prosecutors questioned a dozen witnesses and presented photographic evidence to the court. Burke's arraignment has now been set for 31 August, with the trial required to begin within 90 days of that date, moving the case a significant step closer to court.

Prosecutors allege Burke stabbed the teenager at his Hollywood home after years of alleged sexual abuse, then dismembered her body, claiming he acted because she had threatened to expose his relationship with a minor and destroy his music career. Evidence read in court included texts Rivas Hernandez sent on 22 April 2025 warning "I swear to GOD I will kill u" and "i will end ur career and ur life", after a row over his friendship with another girl; the next day she travelled to his home in an Uber he had arranged, where prosecutors say he stabbed her. Her remains were found last September in a Tesla registered to his address, and Burke, 21, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and sexual abuse.