New court filings in the high-profile murder case against singer D4vd outline disturbing allegations that the “Romantic Homicide” artist ordered chainsaws, a body bag and a blue inflatable pool under a fake name in the weeks after the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke (born 2005), was arrested in mid-April 2026 and has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder with special circumstances, continuous sexual abuse of a child, lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under 14, mutilation of human remains and personal use of a deadly weapon. He remains held without bail ahead of a preliminary hearing expected in the coming weeks.
According to prosecutors’ recent filings, Burke allegedly began a relationship with Rivas Hernandez when she was around 11 years old. The relationship is said to have become sexual when she was 13 and he was 18. Prosecutors claim he feared exposure of the alleged abuse would derail his rising music career.
On or around April 23, 2025, Burke reportedly arranged an Uber to bring the then-14-year-old from her Lake Elsinore, California, home to his residence in the Hollywood Hills. An argument allegedly escalated, after which he stabbed her multiple times with a sharp instrument. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled her death a homicide caused by multiple penetrating injuries. Prosecutors say he stood by as she bled out.
In the days that followed, Burke allegedly took several steps prosecutors describe as an attempt to conceal the crime. On April 24, he reportedly ordered a shovel from Home Depot via Postmates. He is also accused of texting and calling the victim’s phone and driving to the Lake Cachuma area in Santa Barbara County to dispose of some of her belongings while creating what prosecutors call a false alibi.
Alleged Post-Mortem Purchases and Dismemberment
Court documents further allege that Burke made additional calculated purchases under the alias “Victoria Mendez,” with items delivered to his home:
- On May 1, 2025: two chainsaws ordered from Amazon.
- On May 5, 2025: a body bag, heavy-duty laundry bags and a blue inflatable pool.
Prosecutors claim Burke placed the victim’s body inside the inflatable pool in his garage to contain blood and fluids while using the chainsaw(s) to dismember her, severing her arms and legs. They specifically allege he amputated her left ring and pinky fingers post-mortem because the ring finger bore a tattoo of his name. Those fingers were never recovered.
Blue plastic fragments consistent with the inflatable pool were reportedly found embedded in the cut surfaces of the remains during autopsy. The partially dismembered body—placed in garbage and laundry bags inside two black body bags—was allegedly stored for weeks in the front trunk (frunk) of a Tesla registered to Burke.
On September 8, 2025, workers at a Hollywood tow yard noticed a strong odor and flies coming from the impounded vehicle. Inside the frunk, authorities discovered the badly decomposed remains, which weighed approximately 71 pounds at the time of recovery. Identification was made through dental records and DNA.
Friends reportedly commented on a strong smell of decay emanating from the Tesla in the intervening months, according to the filings. Prosecutors say Burke made additional trips to Santa Barbara County areas while the remains were still in the vehicle.
The case also includes allegations of child sexual abuse material found on Burke’s devices, as well as digital evidence tying him to the Amazon purchases under the fake name, delivery records and vehicle data.
Burke’s legal team has strongly denied the allegations. “We believe the actual evidence will show David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez,” his attorneys have previously stated. They have contested aspects of the prosecution’s narrative and are preparing to challenge the evidence at trial. Burke is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
This is an ongoing case. Details are based on prosecutors’ allegations and have not been proven in court.
