Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s family speak out on D4vd standing trial after being accused of her murder
Madison Burgess
Featured Image Credit: Frederic J. BROWN / AFP via Getty Images
Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s family have spoken out after it was ruled that prosecutors presented enough evidence to move musician D4vd’s murder case to trial following a five-day-long preliminary hearing.
The 21-year-old American rapper, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, is accused of killing the 14-year-old girl, whose remains were found in a Tesla registered to his address last September.
Burke, 21, who was arrested in April of this year, faces charges of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. He has pleaded not guilty and denies all charges.
Following the decision to go to trial, PEOPLE reports that attorney Patrick Steinfeld spoke to reporters outside the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles on behalf of Celeste’s family.
He said: “The family’s relieved that it’s done with. They’re going to take a break, and they appreciate the hard work the district attorney’s office has done, as well as the investigation by LAPD investigators.”
The lawyer added that the family thanked the media for its coverage of the case and said they are ‘private individuals and so they hope that you understand that even though they haven’t appeared before the media, that they’re grateful for the media’s continued coverage and keeping Celeste’s name in the news’.
It came after Los Angeles Judge Charlaine Olmedo decided the evidence prosecutors presented provided probable cause for the trial.
She said that 'the people have met their burden on all counts' and ordered that Burke continue to be held without bail.
Prosecutors on Monday (27 July) wrapped up their case by outlining a moment-by-moment account of Celeste’s last night, allegedly showing that after a stream of text messages with Burke, her phone went permanently silent when she arrived at his home.
As she neared his Hollywood home shortly after 10am on 23 April, 2025, in an Uber he had allegedly sent to pick her up, she sent the final text: “girly pop i’m almost there open ur door if ur home.”
Prosecutors allege that Burke stabbed her to death when she came through the door after the night before, the two argued via text about his relationship with a woman.
She reportedly sent him an angry and profane text saying she will tell her dad so many lies about him and ‘i will end ur career and ur life’.
Prosecutors believe that Celeste died inside D4vd's Hollywood home two days before his debut album was released.
They allege that Burke met Celeste when she was just 11, and claim that he started sexually abusing her when she was 13 and he was 18.
They have accused the singer of killing the 14-year-old by stabbing her 'multiple times' before dismembering her body using chainsaws in his garage.
The teen disappeared from her Lake Elsinore, California home in April 2024 at the age of 13, with a spokesperson from the Medical Examiner's Office later confirming that she had been deceased inside the vehicle she was found in for an extended period of time before police discovered her.
Detectives claim D4vd first started messaging Celeste Rivas Hernandez when she was 11 years old.
Police conduct a welfare check at a home D4vd was living in in West Hollywood during a period when Hernandez is missing. He allegedly shows detectives pictures of her on his phone, telling them: “She told me she was 18, everyone is saying she’s 13.” They do not find Hernandez in the home, and are satisfied D4vd has cooperated. Hernandez later returns to her parents, CNN reports.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez, aged 13, is reported missing by her family from Lake Elsinore, California. It is the third time she is reported missing that year, but tragically she is never seen by her parents again.
Prosecutors claim D4vd texted Celeste, saying: “What [if] the first abortion didn't work?" At the time, she is 13 and he is 19, the BBC reports.
Police say Hernandez and D4vd argued over text over the singer’s friendship with another woman. Hernandez threatened: “I will end your career and your life.”
Investigators believe this is the day Celeste was killed.
Prosecutors claim D4vd ordered a shovel from Home Depot.
D4vd’s debut album Withered is released. It debuts at No. 13 on the Billboard chart, with 30,000 units sold in the first week. He tells The Hollywood Reporter that 80 percent of the album was made on his phone and he recorded vocal takes in his sister’s closet.
Prosecutor claim D4vd took delivery of two chainsaws
D4vd begins a world tour, starting with a gig in Del Mar, California.
Celeste’s severely decomposed body is found in the front trunk of a Tesla linked to D4vd. His representatives say he is cooperating with the investigation.
D4vd performs as planned at The Fillmore Minneapolis, despite the ongoing investigation around Rivas’ death.
Police search a rental property where D4vd was living in Doheny Drive, L.A. Later in court, the prosecution claims presumptive traces of blood were found.
Celeste’s family create a fundraiser and release a statement, which reads: “As many of you know, Celeste Rivas Hernandez has been identified as the body found last week. She was a beloved daughter, sister, cousin, and friend. Her family is heartbroken and devastated by this tragic loss. Any funds you are able to donate are greatly appreciated.”
More than $24,000 is raised for them.
D4vd cancels the rest of his world tour, and the deluxe version of his debut album is not released as planned.
The Los Angeles medical examiners officer receives a court order preventing any details of Celeste’s death from being released to the public.
D4vd is arrested and held without bail.
D4vd is arraigned and pleads not guilty to all charges.
The autopsy report reveals that Celeste died from multiple 'penetrating injuries'. She had significant wounds to her torso, likely caused by a sharp object, and one wound penetrated her liver.
D4vd’s preliminary hearing begins. It is expected to last three to seven days, with prosecutors aiming to establish probable cause to move forward to a trial.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence regarding the welfare of a child, contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, 10am-8pm Monday to Friday. If you are a child seeking advice and support, call Childline for free on 0800 1111, 24/7.