D4vd case: Status conference set for singer in killing of Celeste Rivas Hernandez
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A status conference is scheduled Wednesday for singer D4vd, who is charged with murdering a 14-year-old girl whose dismembered body was found in the trunk of his Tesla at a Hollywood tow yard.
The 21-year-old singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, is awaiting a multi-day hearing set to begin June 29 at which Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo is expected to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to allow the case against him to proceed to trial.
During Wednesday's conference, the judge wants to see if both sides are ready to move forward in the case after the start date for the preliminary hearing was pushed.
D4vd is charged with capital murder in the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were found Sept. 8, 2025, in the front trunk of the Tesla registered to the singer.
The murder charge against D4vd includes the special circumstance allegations of lying in wait, murder for financial gain and killing a witness in a criminal investigation. The District Attorney's Office is expected to decide later whether to seek the death penalty against Burke.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman has said the lying in wait allegation stems from D4vd's invitation to Celeste to come to his Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025, after which she was never seen again, while the financial gain allegation stems from the singer's effort to maintain his lucrative music career, which was being threatened by his alleged sexual relationship with the underage girl, Hochman said. Celeste was considered the key witness in that investigation, leading to the allegation of murdering a witness, he said.
Along with the murder charge, Burke was also charged April 20 with one count each of continuous sexual abuse of a child under age 14 and mutilation of human remains.
City News Service contributed to this report.
