The hearing was a procedural check-in as prosecutors and defense attorneys determine next steps in the case involving the death of the Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Thursday also marks one year since she was last known to be alive.
What happened during D4vd's hearing on Thursday?
Although a preliminary hearing appeared on Thursday's court calendar, it didn't go forward. Instead, the matter was handled as a status conference - referred to as a "3 of 10" - that sets the stage for upcoming proceedings, including the exchange of evidence.
D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, appeared in court in handcuffs wearing an orange jail jumpsuit. He was then unshackled by a deputy.
His preliminary hearing was set for Friday, May 1. That's when evidence and testimony will be presented to show a judge that there is enough evidence to move to trial. That hearing could still be delayed next week if either side says they're not ready or that enough discovery has not been handed over to the defense.
On Thursday, prosecutors revealed that D4vd's iPhone contained what they described as a significant amount of child sexual abuse material, evidence they said will be reviewed by forensic experts.
Prosecutors have said they have more than 40 terabytes of discovery to turn over, a volume they say could slow the case's progress. That includes data from phones, computers, tablets and iCloud - where D4vd had about three terabytes stored.
So far, only about 30% of all the evidence has been turned over to the defense.
Prosecutors also revealed there were three investigative grand juries that looked at the case: one in November, one in December and one in February. They were investigative grand juries to help compel testimony and not to gain indictments.
Much of the hearing was discussion about setting dates and the large amount of evidence the Los Angeles Police Department and the district attorney's office needs to give to the defense.
The court will reconvene on Wednesday, April 29, to check in on that progress and if a preliminary hearing can actually occur on May 1.
Thursday's hearing comes one day after the release of the teen's autopsy report that describes what prosecutors call a brutal killing.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez's autopsy report: What we know
Attention surrounding the case has intensified with Wednesday's release of the autopsy report, which outlines how Celeste died.
According to the report, the cause and manner of death for the teen was listed as "multiple penetrating injuries caused by object(s)." The manner of death was ruled a homicide.
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According to the report, Celeste's body weighed just 71 pounds when it was found dismembered in the front trunk of the Tesla.
The L.A. County Medical Examiner's Office said one stab wound was on her "right abdomen with (an) injury to (her) liver," and a second stab wound was on her "left chest."
Her body was found in what the medical examiner's office investigators called an "advanced state of decomposition" and dismembered into several parts. Even "the left ring and pinky fingers appear to have been mutilated."
Where her body was dismembered, the report says, "multiple fragments of blue plastic material are found embedded in the cut surfaces."
The report also shows there were presumptive positives for benzodiazepines and methamphetamine/MDMA in her system.
Celeste's family issued a statement through their attorney, saying they are devastated by the findings:
"The Rivas Hernandez family is absolutely devastated by the findings contained in the Medical Examiner's Report involving the horrible and gruesome death of their beloved daughter. These findings have caused profound emotional pain for the family. They respectfully ask for privacy, understanding, and patience as they process this information. Jesus and Mercedes will not attend David Anthony Burke's hearing tomorrow. The Rivas Hernandez family sincerely appreciates the community's support and concern."
The report does not include any evidence connecting D4vd to Celeste's death, but prosecutors who charged the singer with murder, mutilation of remains and continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 say they have a strong case through forensic and digital evidence.
What's next in the D4vd case?
D4vd has pleaded not guilty to the charges and his attorneys say they'll defend his innocence. He will remain in custody on no bail.
The singer was being held at the LAPD 77th Division, which is why he was dressed casually in court on Monday and was not wearing a jail uniform.
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He was eventually transferred to Twin Towers Correctional Facility -- which is the same facility where Nick Reiner, who is accused of killing his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is being held.
ABC News learned D4vd is being segregated away from other inmates due to his fame and the notoriety of the case.
When the time comes for the case to go to a jury, the medical examiner's report is one of the pieces of the puzzle that jurors will be considering.
If a jury is to convict, the specifics of how someone was killed play a huge role in what charges to go with.
D4vd faces a maximum sentence of life - without the possibility of parole - or the death penalty, L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said. He said he and his office will decide whether to seek the death penalty at a later time.
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Throughout the seven-month investigation, the LAPD has faced criticism for how it has handled the case and for its decision not to provide details, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell noted at Monday's news conference.
Investigators believe Celeste was dead for many months before her remains were found.
"I want to be clear about something -- my duty is not to fuel speculation, it's to deliver justice," the police chief said. "And that requires patience and discipline on everybody's part. This investigation was driven by a single purpose: to secure justice for Celeste Rivas and for those who loved her.
"We had to be certain that nothing we said or did would ever jeopardize this case," he added. "The substantial amount of time that passed between her death and the discovery meant that crucial evidence had degraded or disappeared."
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Celeste, a reported runaway from Lake Elsinore in Riverside County, was last known to be alive on April 23, 2025, when she arrived at D4vd's rented home in the Hollywood Hills, according to McDonnell. She was never heard from again, Hochman said.
April 23 is the same day tickets for D4vd's world tour went on pre-sale. Prosecutors believe Celeste's body was mutilated on May 5, and her remains weren't found until months later, in September.
D4vd -- who first went viral on TikTok, where he has nearly 4 million followers -- had been on his "Withered" world tour when the teen's body was discovered in his vehicle. The last few shows of the tour, including those in San Francisco and L.A., were canceled.
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ABC News contributed to this report.