Singer D4vd Faces Murder Charges in Death of 14-Year-Old Celeste Rivas Hernandez Amid Preliminary Hearing
David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, is facing charges of first-degree murder, sexual abuse of a minor, and mutilation of a corpse in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Her dismembered and decomposing body was found in a Tesla SUV registered to Burke in the Hollywood Hills in September 2025. A preliminary hearing is currently underway in Los Angeles to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial. Prosecutors have presented evidence including digital files containing child sexual abuse material from Burke’s devices, over 50 search warrants executed, and findings from three grand juries. The medical examiner determined Hernandez died from penetrating wounds. Burke has pleaded not guilty, and his defense maintains he did not cause her death. While all sources agree on core facts, ABC News includes additional allegations from prosecutors suggesting a years-long inappropriate relationship, emotional manipulation, and a motive tied to protecting Burke’s music career — details absent in CTV News.
ABC News provides significantly more detailed narrative and prosecutorial claims, including motive, timeline, and graphic specifics of the alleged crime. CTV News focuses on procedural aspects of the preliminary hearing and defense efforts to obtain evidence, offering a more restrained, process-oriented account.
- ✓ Singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, has been charged with first-degree murder, sexual abuse, and dismemberment in the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
- ✓ The body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found dismembered and decomposing in a Tesla SUV registered to Burke, located in the Hollywood Hills.
- ✓ The vehicle was towed from the area where it had been abandoned.
- ✓ The medical examiner determined that Hernandez died from penetrating wounds.
- ✓ Burke has pleaded not guilty not guilty; his defense maintains he is innocent and did not cause her death.
- ✓ A preliminary hearing is underway in Los Angeles to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial.
- ✓ Prosecutors are presenting evidence collected through over 50 search warrants and three investigative grand juries.
- ✓ Some evidence, including digital data from Burke’s phone and iCloud accounts, has been linked to child sexual abuse imagery.
Cause and motive of death
Explicitly states prosecutors allege Burke stabbed Hernandez multiple times to silence her after she threatened to expose their sexual relationship, which began when she was 13 and he was 18. Provides a detailed timeline and emotional context involving jealousy and threats to his music career.
Does not specify how or why the killing occurred. Mentions the medical examiner found two penetrating wounds but offers no narrative about motive or sequence of events.
Nature of the relationship between Burke and Hernandez
States prosecutors claim Burke met Hernandez when she was 11, began a sexual relationship when she was 13, and manipulated her into believing they had a future together.
Does not mention any prior relationship or contact between the two individuals.
Details of post-mortem actions
Claims prosecutors allege Burke used two chainsaws purchased online to dismember the body in an inflatable pool; also notes two fingers were missing because they bore his tattooed name.
Notes the body was found in pieces in two bags in the trunk but does not describe how dismemberment occurred.
Digital evidence and communications
Cites specific text messages from April 22, 2025 — the night before the alleged murder — describing jealousy, emotional manipulation, and threats by Hernandez to expose the relationship.
Mentions text messages exist but provides no content or date.
Timing and sequencing of events
Offers a detailed chronology: meeting at age 11, sexual relationship at 13, messages on April 22, 2025, and death the next day when phone activity ceased.
Provides no timeline of events leading up to or following the death.
Legal motions and courtroom dynamics
Focuses on a different legal motion: defense requested the prosecution’s detailed filing be sealed; judge denied the request.
Highlights defense strategy: Burke’s attorneys exercised the right to a rapid preliminary hearing to force early disclosure of evidence.
CTV News
Framing: CTV News frames the event as a developing legal proceeding centered on evidence disclosure and judicial process. It emphasizes the structure of the preliminary hearing, the defense’s procedural strategy, and the incomplete nature of public knowledge.
Tone: measured, procedural, and neutral
Narrative Framing: The headline pairs the artist's name with the victim’s name and uses neutral phrasing ('What to know about...'), suggesting an informational, explainer-style approach rather than emphasizing shock or blame.
"What to know about singer D4vd and the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez"
Balanced Reporting: Describes the preliminary hearing as resembling a trial but clarifies its limited legal purpose — indicating effort to educate readers on judicial process.
"a Los Angeles public hearing set to start Friday that will look much like a trial... judge will decide whether he should go to trial"
Framing By Emphasis: Highlights defense demand for transparency ('unusual move... within 10 court days') and quotes defense attorney directly, giving prominence to innocence claim.
"We believe the actual evidence will show David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez"
Framing By Emphasis: Notes that 'vast majority of evidence remains secret' — centers uncertainty and lack of full disclosure as a key issue.
"But the vast majority of evidence remains secret."
Omission: Avoids describing motive, relationship history, or graphic details of killing despite availability of such claims in public filings.
"N/A"
ABC News
Framing: ABC News frames the event as a morally clear-cut case of predatory violence motivated by career preservation. It constructs a narrative of grooming, betrayal, and brutal cover-up, relying heavily on prosecutorial allegations.
Tone: accusatory, dramatic, and emotionally charged
Sensationalism: Headline asserts causality ('stabbed... to silence her') and implies motive, framing the case as a crime of concealment driven by career protection.
"Prosecutors say singer D4vd stabbed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez to death to silence her"
Appeal To Emotion: Uses emotionally charged language ('very soon after her arrival... stood by while she bled out') to dramatize the killing.
"stood by while she bled out"
Narrative Framing: Presents detailed narrative of a multi-year sexual relationship, manipulation, and emotional control — constructing a clear moral and psychological arc.
"began a sexual relationship with her when she was 13 and he was 18... led her to believe they had a future together"
Sensationalism: Includes graphic and shocking details (chainsaws, inflatable pool, missing fingers with tattoos) not present in CTV News, heightening visceral impact.
"Burke bought two chainsaws online that he used to cut apart her body in an inflatable pool. Two of her fingers were missing when the body was found."
Cherry Picking: Quotes prosecution document extensively, presenting allegations as if substantiated, with minimal counterpoint or qualification.
"The messages reveal the victim’s jealousy... threatened to disclose damaging information"
Framing By Emphasis: Mentions defense request to seal documents but adds 'They had no comment outside court,' subtly implying defensiveness or lack of transparency.
"They had no comment outside court."
What to know about singer D4vd and the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez
Prosecutors say singer D4vd stabbed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez to death to silence her
Prosecutors say singer D4vd stabbed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez to death to silence her
Singer D4vd murdered 14-year-old victim to silence her, prosecutors say