US Singer D4vd Ordered to Stand Trial Over Murder and Mutilation of 14-Year-Old Girl

D4vd (American Singer)

David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, is an American singer-songwriter. Born in Queens, New York, and raised in Houston, Texas, Burke began composing music in 2021 for his Fortnite gameplay montages.

A judge on Monday ruled that American singer D4vd must stand trial for the murder and dismemberment of a 14-year-old girl who prosecutors allege threatened to expose their illegal sexual relationship.

Following a five-day preliminary hearing, Judge Charlaine Olmedo determined there was sufficient evidence to advance the case. Key evidence presented by prosecutors included text messages from the teenage victim—whose remains were discovered in the trunk of the musician’s vehicle—warning that she would destroy his career.

The 21-year-old artist, legally named David Anthony Burke, allegedly initiated a sexual relationship with Celeste Rivas Hernandez when she was 13 and he was 18.

Burke has pleaded not guilty to single counts of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a minor under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. If convicted, he faces a potential sentence of life imprisonment or the death penalty.

According to prosecutors, Hernandez grew jealous over another woman and threatened to expose their relationship in April 2025—roughly 24 hours prior to her death and just three days before the launch of Burke’s debut album.

“I swear to GOD I will kill u she was in my dam seat i will strangle u…i will end ur career and ur life I will damage anything,” Hernandez wrote in profanity-laced texts presented by prosecutors.

According to state prosecutors, Burke subsequently arranged and paid for an Uber to transport Hernandez to his residence, where he fatally stabbed her.

Financial records introduced by the prosecution indicate that Burke used his Amazon account to purchase chainsaws, an inflatable pool, and a portable incinerator—the latter of which proved too small to destroy her remains.

Hernandez’s decomposing body was ultimately discovered in September 2025 inside the trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke, after the vehicle was towed to a Hollywood impound lot.

Burke first achieved widespread recognition in 2022 when his single “Romantic Homicide” went viral on TikTok, later leading to a performance at the Coachella music festival.

Evidence presented during the hearing revealed that Hernandez’s family was aware of her relationship with the artist and had provided written authorization for her to travel with him to London in September 2024. Text messages submitted into evidence further indicated that she had previously become pregnant by Burke and subsequently underwent an abortion.

Although the couple separated in November 2024, they maintained communication.

In response, Burke’s defense counsel argued that Hernandez was violent toward the singer, suffered from bipolar disorder, and had previously expressed suicidal ideation.

Defense lawyer Blair Berk said “there was no evidence of deliberate intention to kill.”

Prosecutor Beth Silverman in turn said “there’s nothing in this case that sounds like an accident” and accused the defense of “dirtying up the victim.”

Patrick Steinfeld, an attorney representing Hernandez’s family, said: “I find it abhorrent that defense attorneys are trying to put any blame on this young child.”

A follow-up hearing to set the trial schedule has been scheduled for Friday.