Los Angeles judge to rule on probable cause in singer D4vd murder case

A preliminary hearing beginning Tuesday will allow Judge Charlaine Olmedo to decide if prosecutors have presented enough evidence to establish probable cause against 21-year-old David Burke, who performs under the name D4vd. The hearing, which will last about four days and will not involve a jury, is the first public presentation of the case against Burke, who was arrested in April and has pleaded not guilty to murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains.

Prosecutors allege that Burke lured the teenager to his Hollywood Hills rental, stabbed her multiple times and later used chain saws to dismember her body in his garage. They say they have text messages, photographs, and DNA evidence linking Burke to the crime, as well as records showing he ordered the equipment used for the dismemberment. Surveillance footage is expected to show Burke as the last driver of the Tesla in which the victim’s remains were later found.

Burke’s attorney, Blair Berk, maintains that his client is not responsible for the girl’s death. The defendant has been held without bail and will appear in court in jail clothing after a request to wear a suit was denied. No cameras will be permitted inside the courtroom.

The victim, Celeste Rivas Hernandez, had reportedly known Burke since she was 11 and was allegedly abused when she was 13. Prosecutors claim she threatened to expose the relationship, prompting the alleged murder. The case has drawn attention due to Burke’s rising music career, which includes viral hits on TikTok and performances at major festivals such as Coachella.