A Los Angeles judge has determined this week that there is enough evidence to allow the criminal prosecution against singer David Anthony Burke, also known as d4vd, to move forward to trial. This comes after a five-day preliminary hearing concluded on July 27, 2026. He is charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances, continuous sexual abuse of a minor under 14 years old, and mutilation of human remains without lawful authority.
All claims about the relationship, any abuse, motive, or the killing are allegations advanced by prosecutors. They have not been proven in court.
As per the prosecutors, it was the first meeting of Burke with Celeste Abigail Rivas Hernandez in 2022 when she was just eleven years old, and Burke was sixteen or seventeen years old. The prosecutors have contended that the sexual relation began late in 2023, when she was thirteen years old, and Burke was eighteen years old. Celeste, who is from Lake Elsinore, passed away at fourteen years old. It is stated by the prosecutors that Burke had stabbed her on or around April 23, 2025, after threatening her that she would expose the relationship which would ruin his career.
During the hearing, prosecutors introduced digital messages, explicit images recovered from devices, DNA evidence linking blood to the home and an inflatable pool, and purchase records. They argue the motive was protecting his rising music career, including an album release and tour around that time. Defense attorneys have challenged the interpretation of the evidence, disputed intent, and maintained Burke is not responsible. They have pointed to messages in which, they say, Celeste represented herself as older.
This case is still ongoing. At trial, jurors will evaluate the evidence presented in digital form, the forensic results, statements by witnesses, and conflicting stories. Future hearings may change the legal scenario. Burke is being held without bond pending arraignment on August 31.
