Prosecutors allege that singer D4vd (real name David Anthony Burke) stabbed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez to death at his Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025, shortly after she arrived via Uber. The killing followed a heated text argument the previous evening in which the teenager threatened to expose their sexual relationship after growing jealous over the musician’s involvement with other women. Burke has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and related charges including continuous sexual abuse of a child and mutilation of human remains.
Text messages recovered by investigators show the pair engaged in a lengthy dispute on April 22, 2025. Celeste expressed frustration that Burke had led her to believe they shared a future together while he maintained relationships with others. She became upset and warned that she would disclose damaging details about their interactions to damage his rising music career. Prosecutors say Burke responded the next day by arranging an Uber pickup from her home in Lake Elsinore around 8:40 p.m. The ride brought her to his residence in the Hollywood Hills where she arrived near 10:10 p.m. They continued exchanging messages before and during the trip.
Court filings state that soon after Celeste entered the home, Burke allegedly stabbed her multiple times with a sharp instrument. He allegedly stood by as she bled out without calling emergency services. Prosecutors describe the post-mortem texts he sent to her phone, including one around 10:30 p.m. asking her location, as part of a premeditated alibi effort. Her phone activity ceased that night. Later actions allegedly included ordering tools such as chainsaws and an inflatable pool for dismemberment in the garage before placing remains in bags inside the front trunk of his Tesla. The vehicle was eventually towed and the decomposed body discovered in September 2025.
Burke, who was 18 when the alleged sexual relationship began and Celeste was 13, met the girl from Lake Elsinore when she was 11, according to the filings. The case has drawn intense focus on the power imbalance between an emerging recording artist with platinum tracks and a vulnerable teenager. His defense team maintains his innocence and asserts that evidence will show he did not cause her death. A preliminary hearing is scheduled to examine probable cause for trial on the full set of charges, which carry the possibility of life in prison or even the death penalty under special circumstances such as murdering a witness and lying in wait.
This case underscores broader concerns about safeguarding young people who cross paths with individuals in the entertainment industry. Celebrity status can sometimes obscure early warning signs of exploitation, especially when digital communication allows private relationships to develop away from adult supervision. Families and communities must remain vigilant in monitoring online interactions and supporting teens who may feel trapped by promises of affection or fame.
The allegations here highlight how jealousy, fear of exposure, and career protection can intersect with tragic outcomes when accountability is absent. For more on similar high-profile cases involving artists and legal troubles in the hip-hop and music scene, see our coverage of Lil Baby and 4PF RICO speculation and ongoing investigations into rapper killings.
Public discourse around the case also reveals the challenges courts face in balancing the presumption of innocence with the need for justice for victims and their loved ones. Recent court updates include prosecutors revealing a significant amount of child sexual abuse material allegedly found on Burke’s phone during hearings.
For official case updates from the Los Angeles County District Attorney, visit the LA County DA announcements page. Details on the charges and court proceedings are available through California court records portals. Background on the victim’s hometown and family statements can be found via verified local reporting archives.
The coming evidentiary hearing will test the strength of digital records, forensic evidence, and witness accounts. Until then, the public is left with a stark reminder that behind viral success stories lie real human vulnerabilities that demand serious attention rather than fleeting online outrage. For further reading on the timeline and evidence in this developing case, see comprehensive reporting from ABC7 Los Angeles.
