A court hearing for David Anthony Burke, a singer who goes by the stage name d4vd, started on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, in a Los Angeles courtroom. Prosecutors are presenting evidence accusing Burke of killing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The hearing ends Thursday, July 23. Its purpose is to help a judge decide whether there is enough evidence to hold a full trial. A preliminary hearing is like a screening step: the judge does not decide if the person is guilty, only if the case is strong enough to go forward.

The hearing was originally expected to take four to five days, based on an April 2026 court scheduling session before Judge Olmedo. The case had been delayed several times before July 2026, partly because investigators had gathered a large amount of evidence.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office formally charged Burke with capital murder in April 2026, according to the DA's own press release. Capital murder is the most serious type of murder charge in California. If convicted, Burke could face the death penalty or life in prison with no chance of release. Burke, who is 21, has been held in jail without bail since his arrest in April 2026. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Prosecutors say Burke stabbed Hernandez to death at his Los Angeles home. According to their account, Burke killed her to stop her from telling people about their sexual relationship while his music career was growing. Prosecutors say Burke and Hernandez started a sexual relationship in November 2023, when Burke was 18 and Hernandez was 13.

When Burke was arrested, his defense team released a statement saying he "was not the cause" of Hernandez's death. At a July 7, 2026 court hearing, both sides said they were ready to move toward trial.

Prosecutors planned to present several types of evidence. They intended to show text messages between Burke and Hernandez that they say reveal their sexual relationship and Hernandez threatening to expose him. They also planned to show surveillance video of Burke last driving the Tesla in July 2025. Evidence of Burke buying a body bag and two chainsaws was also slated for presentation. Forensic evidence, which is scientific evidence like blood and DNA testing, linking blood stains in Burke's garage to Hernandez was among the physical evidence prosecutors planned to introduce.

Prosecutors allege Burke cut up Hernandez's body with a chainsaw and removed her ring finger, which had a tattoo of his name. According to the prosecution, Burke put Hernandez's body parts in the Tesla.

The case came to the attention of police through a tow yard in Hollywood. In September 2025, the manager of the tow yard called authorities after noticing a strong, bad smell coming from a Tesla and seeing flies around it. Los Angeles police then found Celeste Rivas Hernandez's remains in the Tesla, which had been towed to the yard. The car was registered to Burke.

Burke became popular through viral songs on TikTok and started an international tour for his debut album, "Withered," in July 2025. The tour was cancelled in September 2025, the same month Hernandez's remains were found in the Tesla. Several of Burke's former collaborators distanced themselves from him after the discovery.

Hernandez's family released a statement in April 2026 remembering her, describing her as "a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance" and stating, "All we want is justice for Celeste."

The case has drawn attention not only because of the serious charges but because Burke is a well-known public figure. His success on streaming platforms and his international tour placed him among a newer group of artists whose careers are built mainly through social media fame rather than through traditional record labels.

The broader context here is how Burke's fast rise in the music world overlaps with the timeline of the alleged crimes. The prosecution's account places the start of the relationship, the killing, and the discovery of remains along a timeline that partially lines up with Burke's growing fame. The contrast between a very public career and very serious private allegations is something the court will now have to sort through.

A key thing to watch as the hearing continues is how Burke's defense responds to the physical evidence, especially the blood in his garage linked to Hernandez and the purchases of a body bag and chainsaws. The defense's April statement that Burke "was not the cause" of Hernandez's death is a careful choice of words. It does not directly deny the claims about dismembering her body. That leaves an open question about what defense Burke's lawyers will offer if the case goes to trial. The Guardian

When the hearing ends on July 23, Judge Olmedo will decide whether there is probable cause, meaning a reasonable basis to believe a crime was committed and Burke committed it, to send the case to trial. Given how much evidence there is and the original estimate of four to five days, the schedule is tight.