Editor's note: This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing.
After months of keeping details of the investigation into Celeste Rivas Hernandez's death under wraps, prosecutors have begun to make their case against D4vd, the 21-year-old singer who has been charged with her murder.
An April 29 court filing obtained by USA TODAY details evidence expected to be presented during David Anthony Burke's preliminary hearing on May 1. In the documents, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office carefully outlines the findings of their investigation, including Burke's alleged sexual relationship with the teenager, efforts to cover up her death, and what happened the day Rivas Hernandez died.
Prosecutors claim that Burke killed Rivas Hernandez, 14, when she threatened to expose their relationship – which dates back to 2022, when she was 11 years old, and he was 18 – and damage his career ahead of the release of his debut album in April 2025. Authorities believe she died April 23, five months before her remains were found on Sept. 8 inside the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke, which had been impounded in a Los Angeles tow yard for several days.
Burke killed Rivas Hernandez, dismembered her in his garage and took additional steps to remove a tattoo of his name in the process, prosecutors allege, citing blood evidence and DNA analysis.
