Family Reacts: Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s loved ones are “relieved” as D4vd is set to appear in court, according to their attorney
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge decided Monday, July 27, that prosecutors presented enough evidence during a five-day preliminary hearing to send the singer to trial
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After a judge ruled Monday, July 27, that prosecutors had presented enough evidence to move D4vd’s murder case to trial, Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s family is speaking out about the decision.
“The family’s relieved that it’s done with,” attorney Patrick Steinfeld told reporters outside the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center at the conclusion of the five-day preliminary hearing. “They’re going to take a break and they appreciate the hard work the district attorney’s office has done, as well as the investigation by LAPD investigators.”
Steinfeld said the family also thanked the media for its continued coverage, adding that they are “private individuals and so they hope that you understand that even though they haven’t appeared before the media, that they’re grateful for the media’s continued coverage and keeping Celeste’s name in the news.”
D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, is accused by prosecutors of fatally stabbing the 14-year-old girl from Lake Elsinore, Calif., on April 23, 2025, after she threatened to expose their illegal sexual relationship and ruin his music career. His debut album was released two days later.
During the preliminary hearing, prosecutors argued Burke then dismembered and disposed of her body parts with items he purchased online including a shovel, three chainsaws, two cadaver bags, two heavy-duty laundry bags and a mop and bucket combo.
Testimony also revealed that blood allegedly matching Rivas’ DNA profile was found in Burke’s garage.
Rivas’ severely decomposed remains were found in the front trunk of Burke’s Tesla on Sept. 8, 2025, three days after his vehicle was impounded near his Hollywood Hills home.
Burke, 21, was arrested in April 2026.
On the second day of the preliminary hearing, Rivas’ mother, Mercedes Martinez, broke down in tears as a passport photo of her daughter was shown in court. The previous day, multiple gruesome photos of the crime scene were exhibited on screen.
Los Angeles Police Department robbery-homicide detective Corey Farell also testified during the hearing that Burke and Rivas exchanged multiple texts during their illegal sexual relationship about abortion, birth control, Plan B, the emergency contraceptive pill and breaking up.
More than 40 images of child sex abuse involving Rivas were allegedly found on Burke’s iPhone, as well as several photos of the two engaging in sexual activity.
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Celeste Rivas Hernandez; David “D4vd” Burke.
GoFundMe ; Swan Gallet/WWD via Getty
Prosecutors allege the two began communicating on August 8, 2022, when Rivas was 11 years old, and began the sexual relationship in November 2023 when she was 13 and he was 18.
Burke is charged with first-degree murder with the special circumstances of lying in wait, committing the crime for financial gain and murdering a witness to an investigation. He is also accused of lewd and lascivious sexual acts with an individual under 14 years of age and mutilating human remains.
Speaking to reporters Monday, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said his office is still determining whether to pursue the death penalty. If convicted as charged, Burke could also face life in prison without the possibility of parole.
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Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman speaking to reporters outside the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center on Monday, July 27.
Danielle Bacher
“This has been a parent’s worst nightmare, hearing the ghoulish details of how their child was killed, dismembered and left as trash,” Hochman said in a subsequent press release.
Burke, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, will remain held without bail. His arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 31, and his trial is expected to begin within 60 days of that date.
