US Musician D4vd to Stand Trial for Murder of 14-Year-Old Girl

A Los Angeles judge has ruled that 21-year-old musician David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, will go on trial for the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Following a five-day preliminary hearing, Judge Charlaine Olmedo found probable cause for charges including murder with special circumstances, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and the unlawful mutilation of human remains. Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His arraignment is scheduled for August 31, with the trial expected to begin within 90 days.

Prosecutors allege that Burke stabbed Hernandez and subsequently dismembered her body using chainsaws ordered online under a false name. They claim the motive was to prevent the victim from revealing a sexual relationship—which allegedly began when she was 13 and he was 18—and destroying his multi-million dollar music career. The victim's remains were discovered last September in black bags inside a Tesla registered to Burke's address, where they had reportedly been for over four months.

Burke's defense team argues there is insufficient evidence to prove a premeditated killing. They contend that Hernandez had misrepresented her age to Burke and that her parents were aware of the relationship, even providing written consent for her to travel to London with him. Defense attorneys also highlighted text messages suggesting Hernandez insisted on visiting Burke's home and noted a lack of surveillance footage placing Burke at home on the night of the crime.

If convicted, Burke faces life imprisonment or the death penalty, though prosecutors have not yet decided if they will seek the latter. D4vd gained international fame through TikTok hits such as "Romantic Homicide" and "Here with Me," and provided a hymn for the video game Fortnite in 2025.