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D4vd‘s preliminary hearing in the case involving Celeste Rivas Hernandez offered a disturbing look at the evidence prosecutors say supports their case. During the proceedings, the court was shown graphic photos and heard chilling details surrounding the teen’s death in 2025. The outcome of the preliminary hearing will determine whether there is enough probable cause for the singer to stand trial.
On Tuesday, July 21, 21-year-old D4vd, real name David Anthony Burke, appeared in court for a preliminary hearing in connection with the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The singer was charged with first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a minor, and mutilating a body on April 20.
The teen’s parents, Mercedes Martinez and Jesus Rivas, were present and chose to stay in court during the prosecution’s presentation of their evidence against D4vd.
LAPD Detective Josh Byers took the stand and told the court disturbing details about the discovery of Celeste’s decomposing and mutilated body in September 2025. The remains were in an impounded Tesla registered to the singer.
Byers said they found a plastic trash bag and a cadaver bag in the vehicle. Upon opening, they saw “various limbs of a body, arms, legs that had been severed.” It was the first time photos of the discovery were shown in court. The detective also noted that the remains were severely decomposed, and the teen’s face was unrecognizable, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Body Cam Footage Of D4vd Talking With Authorities Was Presented
Celeste’s family reported her missing multiple times in early 2024. At the hearing, body cam footage dated February 17, 2024, was presented, which showed authorities visiting the singer’s Hollywood Hills residence to inquire about the missing teen.
In the video, D4vd told deputies that he had been communicating with Celeste online after they met on Discord and had met her in person only once. He also claimed the teen told him she was 18 years old after authorities showed him a yearbook photo of Celeste, who at that time was just 13 years old, per FOX LA.
The prosecution has submitted evidence to counter D4vd’s claims in the footage. According to a legal brief filed in April, D4vd met Celeste online when she was just 11 years old, and they began a sexual relationship in 2023 when she was 13 and the singer was 18, as previously reported by The Blast.
D4vd Made Online Purchases After The Teen’s Alleged Murder
The prosecution claims that D4vd murdered Celeste on April 23, 2025. The teen threatened to expose their unlawful relationship, and the singer didn’t want to jeopardize his rising career. His financial manager took the stand and said D4vd earned about $11 million from 2023 to 2025. He was in the middle of a tour when Celeste’s remains were discovered.
Celeste was last seen alive taking an Uber to D4vd’s home on the evening of April 23, 2025. Investigators presented receipts dated April 24, 2025, showing purchases of fireproof floor mats, a chainsaw, an inflatable pool, and a mop. The items were bought under different aliases.
Video footage dated July 29, 2025, showed D4vd driving his Tesla and parking it on Bluebird Avenue near his home. The car sat abandoned for weeks before it was impounded. Workers at the tow yard called authorities after noticing a foul smell.
The Prosecution Needs To Meet Probable Cause To Continue To Trial
According to reports, the preliminary hearing may last between three and five days. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman spoke to reporters about the hearing, clarifying that currently, prosecutors only need to show that there is probable cause for D4vd’s case to move to the full trial phase.
“The standard that we have to meet is not beyond a reasonable doubt at the preliminary hearing stage. It is probable cause,” Hochman said, adding that they will not be presenting all the pieces of evidence they have against D4vd at this point. The prosecution will only present enough evidence to convince the judge that a crime was committed.
D4vd Pleaded Not Guilty To All The Charges
D4vd’s legal team requested that their client be unshackled during the hearing. While the judge ordered deputies to remove his handcuffs, his legs and waist remained chained to his chair throughout the proceeding. According to reports, D4vd sat silently and showed no reaction when the graphic photos were displayed in court.
The singer pleaded not guilty to all his charges at his arraignment on April 20. If the case moves to trial, D4vd will be facing life imprisonment without parole or the death penalty, though prosecutors have not decided whether they would pursue the latter.
The D4vd Case: Graphic Photos And Gruesome Details Shared At Preliminary Hearing first appeared on The Blast
