SerpApi.Org
Singer D4vd continued to profit from his record deal in the months after he allegedly killed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas, a court heard this week.
D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, appeared in a Los Angeles court on Wednesday for a preliminary hearing in connection with Rivas’ murder. During testimony, the artist’s finances, specifically tied to his deal with Interscope, were outlined in detail.
Lewis Poimiroo, senior vice president of finance for Interscope, told the court that Burke had multiple LLCs set up for merchandising and publishing. According to Poimiroo, Burke generated roughly $950,000 in 2022, followed by a significant jump to about $3.869 million in 2023. His earnings then dropped to around $186,000 in 2024 before rising again to approximately $2.77 million in 2025. No payments were recorded in 2026. This comes after it was revealed D4vd 'told police he did not know teen was a minor.'
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Prosecutors allege Burke killed Rivas in April 2025, stabbing her to death inside his Hollywood home and later cutting her body into pieces using a saw he purchased online.
Benjamin Greger, a member of Burke’s management team, also testified Wednesday. Greger claimed that Burke had purchased plane tickets for Rivas, including trips to London and Texas. Prosecutors further alleged that Burke employed a security guard who drove the pair to clubs where Rivas used a fake ID.
The hearing began Tuesday with testimony from a detective who was among the first to respond when Rivas’ body was discovered in Burke’s Tesla at a Hollywood tow lot.
“There were maggots, there were flies,” Detective Joshua Byers told the court. “I don’t know how to describe the other liquid matter.”
Jurors were shown several photos during the testimony, including images of Rivas’ dismembered body. The evidence reportedly included arms and legs inside a trash bag, a head and torso placed in a body bag, and severed hands with missing fingers.
“The trunk was open and there was a partially unzipped body bag with torso and head,” Byers said. “Missing extremities at the time.”
Rivas’ parents were seated just feet away from Burke as the images were displayed in court. Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman was also present in the front row and later spoke to reporters outside the courthouse, stating that the death penalty remains a possible outcome in the case.
Burke has been charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances, including lying in wait, murder of a witness to an investigation, and murder for financial gain. He also faces charges of lewd and lascivious sexual acts with an individual under 14 years old, as well as mutilation of human remains.
According to legal documents obtained by The California Post, Burke allegedly arranged for an Uber to bring Rivas from her family home in Lake Elsinore to his Hollywood Hills residence on the night of April 23, 2025. Prosecutors claim he then stabbed her and stood by while she bled to death.
The preliminary hearing is expected to last between three and five days and will determine whether Burke will stand trial, which could take place as early as next year.
