D4vd Posts ‘Decay’ Days After Celeste Rivas’ Tragic Death

The multi-day A preliminary hearing to determine whether D4vd will stand trial in the alleged murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez continued this week, with testimony from a medical examiner detailing the teenager’s fatal stab wounds and dismemberment as prosecutors continued presenting evidence in the case.

The singer-songwriter, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder with special circumstances, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains. He remains in custody without bail. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has not yet announced whether it will seek the death penalty.

Prosecutors allege that Burke, who was 20 at the time, killed Rivas Hernandez on or around April 23, 2025, at his rented Hollywood Hills home. Authorities say the alleged killing followed a dispute in which Rivas Hernandez threatened to expose a sexual relationship that prosecutors claim began when she was 13 and Burke was 18.

According to court filings, the pair had argued over text messages the day before Rivas Hernandez’s death. Prosecutors say she expressed jealousy and warned that she could reveal information that would “end his career and destroy his life.” Burke’s debut album, Withered, was scheduled for release two days later.

Later that evening, prosecutors allege that Burke arranged an Uber to pick up Rivas Hernandez from her family’s home in Lake Elsinore and take her to his residence. She arrived at approximately 10:10 p.m. and, according to authorities, was never heard from again. Her cellphone activity stopped that night.

Prosecutors allege that Burke stabbed Rivas Hernandez multiple times with a sharp instrument before taking steps to conceal her death. In the days that followed, authorities say he ordered a shovel and purchased two chainsaws, a body bag, heavy-duty laundry bags and a blue inflatable pool under a false name.

According to the prosecution, Burke used the chainsaws to dismember Rivas Hernandez’s body inside the garage, placing it in the pool to contain blood. Her arms, legs and two fingers from her left hand were severed. One of the fingers reportedly had a tattoo of Burke’s name.

DNA matching Rivas Hernandez was later found on multiple items recovered from the garage and a vehicle, according to prosecutors.

Her remains were allegedly placed inside bags and left in the front trunk of Burke’s Tesla, where they decomposed for months. Authorities say Burke was the last person to drive the vehicle before parking it near his home and leaving for tour. The Tesla was later towed to a Hollywood impound lot after neighbors and workers reported a strong odor.

On Sept. 8, 2025 — one day after what would have been Rivas Hernandez’s 15th birthday — authorities discovered her severely decomposed remains.

An autopsy determined that Rivas Hernandez died from multiple penetrating injuries to the torso, including wounds that penetrated her liver and chest. Her death was ruled a homicide.

The case has also drawn attention to a post Burke allegedly made on X on April 30, 2025, roughly a week after the alleged killing. The post consisted of a single word: “decay.

Rivas Hernandez, who had been reported missing multiple times beginning in 2024, was identified through dental records and other forensic methods. Investigators have said she was also a key potential witness in a previous investigation into alleged sexual abuse.

The preliminary hearing began July 21 before Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo and has included testimony from detectives, DNA analysts and the medical examiner who performed the autopsy. Prosecutors have also presented Tesla and cellphone location data, Amazon purchase records, bloodstained items and clothing recovered from the vehicle and Burke’s home.

Defense attorneys have challenged aspects of the DNA evidence and its interpretation.

A judge is expected to determine whether prosecutors have established enough probable cause for the case to proceed to a full jury trial. Burke’s attorneys maintain his innocence and have indicated they will vigorously contest the charges.

The case has received widespread attention because of Rivas Hernandez’s age, the graphic nature of the allegations and Burke’s rising profile in music before his arrest in April 2026.