SerpApi.Org
Editor’s Note: This story contains discussions of rape or sexual assault that may be disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can find help and discreet resources on the National Sexual Assault Hotline website or by calling 1-800-656-4673.
(NewsNation) — Ahead of singer D4vd’s preliminary hearing, investigative journalist Lauren Conlin believes there are several avenues both the prosecution and defense can take to make their case.
The singer, whose real name is David Burke, is charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances, lewd and lascivious acts with an individual younger than 14 and mutilating a body in the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Prosecutors are expected to present evidence during a preliminary hearing that begins Tuesday in an effort to convince the judge there is probable cause to send Burke to trial. They allege Burke killed Rivas Hernandez to protect his music career.
“There is a lot of circumstantial evidence here, but I do feel like between possible witnesses, David’s friends, maybe they can testify about the relationship when maybe they noticed that something might have been a little off,” Conlin told “Jesse Weber Live” on Monday.
She added that Burke’s friends could also add intel on the relationship between the singer and Hernandez. Asia Collins, a friend of Burke, recently posted her alleged conversation with him about Celeste being a minor.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 20: d4vd looks on from behind his defense attorney Marilyn Bednarski (R) during his arraignment for the murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez at Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center on April 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Nathan J. Hochman, Los Angeles County District Attorney, announced earlier in the day that David Anthony Burke, known as d4vd, was charged with the first-degree murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was found decomposed in his car. (Photo by Ted Soqui – Pool/Getty Images) Celeste Hernandez Rivas, 15, was found dismembered in the trunk of a Tesla at an L.A. tow yard on Sept. 8, 2025. (RCSD) This undated photo shows Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the teen whose body was found in a car owned by singer D4vd in September 2025. (image courtesy family) D4vd performs onstage on August 1, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Joshua Applegate/WireImage) / Celeste Rivas Hernandez was reported missing in April 2024. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirms that her body was found in the front trunk of a Tesla in September 2025. (Riverside County Sheriff’s Office) FILE – A makeshift Memorial for Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who was killed and found inside a vehicle owned by singer D4vd, is placed outside her home in Lake Elsinore, Calif., on April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, file) A photo of Celeste Rivas Hernandez is displayed Monday, April 20, 2026, in Los Angeles for a press conference. The dismembered remains of Rivas Hernandez, 14, were found in the front trunk of a car registered to David Anthony Burke (aka D4vd), the singer charged with her murder. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
“I think it’s possible that we may hear from Celeste’s family,” the LA Magazine contributor stated. “I don’t anticipate them being in the gallery because I think they could be potential witnesses here, as well as David’s family. We know that the grand jury was trying to call David’s family and they were actively trying to fight it.”
The LA County Medical Examiner and LAPD could establish actual homicide: Conlin
Conlin also notes the judge may get testimony from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner and LAPD, in the attempt to establish Rivas Hernandez’s death was a homicide.
Rivas Hernandez’s decomposing body was found Sept. 8, 2025, inside the trunk of an impounded Tesla registered to Burke. She was positively identified eight days later by the medical examiner.
“We know that the medical examiner ruled her death a homicide by two penetrating wounds to the torso here,” Conlin said. We know that this poor girl did bleed out internally, and that does take time. We’re going to hear some graphic stuff. I do believe that’s coming.”
Burke was on tour when Rivas Hernandez’s body was identified in September 2025, but the tour was suspended. He was arrested in April.
The preliminary hearing will take from three to seven days, according to prosecutors.
NewsNation’s Safia Samee Ali contributed to this report.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
