The victim’s body was found in the trunk of a vehicle impounded at the Hollywood Tow Yard on Mansfield Avenue. (photo by Edwin Folven)

David Anthony Burke, the 21-year-old rapper known as D4vd who is accused of murdering and dismembering a teenage girl with whom he had a sexual relationship, appeared in court on July 21 and 22 for a preliminary hearing that is scheduled to last up to five days.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo is presiding over the hearing to determine whether authorities have enough evidence for Burke to stand trial. The decomposing body of victim Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who as 14 at the time of her death, was found on Sept. 8, 2025, in the trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke that had been towed to a Hollywood impound yard. Employees at the tow yard smelled a foul odor coming from the car and called police. Authorities believe Burke murdered the victim five months earlier in April 2025.

After a lengthy investigation, Burke was arrested on April 20, 2026, and charged with one count each of murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains. He also faces special circumstance allegations of murder of a witness, murder for financial gain and lying in wait. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

During the first day of the hearing, graphic photographs of Rivas Hernandez’s dismembered body were presented, and testimony was given by Los Angeles Police Department detective Joshua Byers, who initially examined the human remains. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman addressed the public on July 21 and said the evidence will show Burke murdered Rivas Hernandez. He said a decision on whether to seek the death penalty will be made at a later date.

David Anthony Burke’s mugshot was released after his arrest on April 20. (photo courtesy of the L.A. County D.A.’s Office)

The rapper met Rivas Hernandez via online fan groups and began an illegal sexual relationship with her in 2024 when she was 13 years old and he was 18. Hochman said Burke murdered Rivas Hernandez in April 2025 after she threatened to make their relationship public, thus placing his music career in jeopardy. Evidence presented in court on July 22 showed Burke had a lucrative recording contract that could have been jeopardized if news about the relationship became public, which prosecutors assert is Burke’s financial motive for murdering Rivas Hernandez.

Evidence presented during the preliminary hearing also showed Burke made online purchases of three chainsaws, a shovel, cadaver bag, heavy duty trash bags and an inflatable swimming pool around the time when Rivas Hernandez is believed to have been murdered. Prosecutors believe Burke used the tools to dismember Rivas Hernandez’s body.

“The prosecution’s evidence is going to be tested before a judge, not a jury. The standard that we have to meet is not beyond a reasonable doubt at the preliminary hearing stage, it is probable cause,” Hochman said on July 21. “We are not obliged, nor will we be presenting all the evidence at a preliminary hearing that we will be presenting at a trial to prove David is beyond a reasonable doubt guilty of the three felony charges of which he has been charged. Nor will we be presenting all the evidence at a preliminary hearing that we will be presenting at a trial. We estimate there will be over 10 different witnesses, both officer testimony, coroner testimony and there will be individual witnesses as well. At the end of the presentation of all this evidence, the question will be, ‘Will David be held to answer on the three felony charges?’ We believe we will more than accomplish the evidentiary burden of probable cause at this point to hold David to answer on these three felony charges.”

Burke has remained in custody without bail since his arrest in April. Inquiries to his defense attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter were not returned by press time. Burke is expected back in court on July 23.