A court hearing that started on July 22, 2026, is deciding whether 21-year-old pop singer D4vd — whose real name is David Anthony Burke — will have to stand trial for the murder and sexual abuse of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Burke pleaded not guilty in April 2026 to several serious charges, including first-degree murder, sexual abuse of a child under 14, and mutilation of human remains (Los Angeles Times).

This type of hearing is called a probable-cause hearing. It does not decide whether Burke is guilty or innocent. Instead, the judge only has to decide if there is enough evidence for a reasonable person to think Burke may have committed the crimes. Think of it like a filter: if enough evidence passes through, the case moves on to a full trial. If not, the charges could be reduced or dismissed.

Prosecutors say Burke stabbed Rivas Hernandez to death at his Los Angeles home and then used a chainsaw to cut her body into pieces (Los Angeles Times). They claim his motive was to stop her from telling people about their sexual relationship, which could have ruined his career (The Guardian). A lawyer for the victim's family, Beth Silverman, has said Burke covered up a long period of sexual abuse of the victim (Los Angeles Times). A prosecutor also said in court on April 23, 2026, that a device belonging to Burke contained "child pornography" (Los Angeles Times).

LAPD scientist Lauren Wallace testified that police found possible bloodstains on several items at Burke's former Hollywood Hills home. These stains could not be seen with the naked eye. The items included a green tarp, black rubber mats, and a crumpled inflatable pool that smelled like fresh laundry and appeared to have been cut. The rubber mats on the garage floor likely had blood stains, and straight cuts from a sharp object were found on them. Two chainsaws found in the garage tested negative for blood. A detective testified that Burke had ordered chainsaws and body bags online (AP News).

Another LAPD scientist, Chelsea Murillo, examined the 2023 black Tesla Model X where Rivas Hernandez's body was found. The car was registered to Burke. It had a layer of dust on the outside, suggesting it had been parked outside for a long time. Maggots and flies were found in the front trunk. Despite several air fresheners in the car, a strong smell like a decomposing body came from the vehicle. Possible traces of blood were found in the third row of seats.

Burke's defense lawyer, Blair Berk, questioned Murillo about the blood testing. Berk pointed out that the tests were "only presumptive," meaning they only suggest blood might be present but do not confirm it for certain. Murillo agreed. The defense has stated that their client "was not the cause" of Rivas Hernandez's death (The Guardian).

An executive from Interscope Records, Burke's record label, testified that Burke had a multimillion-dollar recording deal. From 2022 to 2025, Interscope paid Burke and related entities more than $7.2 million. That number includes legal fees and a trust that California law requires for underage entertainers. Interscope ended Burke's contract in December 2025. Burke's former financial manager, Benjamin Gregor, was asked whether he knew about Burke buying travel tickets for Rivas Hernandez to go to London and Texas (The Guardian).

Rivas Hernandez's parents, Jesus Rivas and Mercedes Martinez, came to the hearing dressed in black and sat in the front row with their lawyer. When prosecutors showed a photo of her daughter's passport, Martinez dropped her head and wiped her eyes. The passport had been found by a highway worker in January 2026 in a dirt area. Burke sat quietly through the daylong hearing (Reuters.

The defense's focus on the limits of the blood tests follows a clear strategy. At this early stage, forensic tests are usually preliminary, so the defense is drawing attention to the gap between what these tests suggest and what they can actually prove. That approach could help narrow the evidence before a jury ever sees it.

The financial testimony does two things for prosecutors. It shows how much Burke had to lose if the relationship came to light, and it traces how Burke allegedly moved Rivas Hernandez across state and international lines. The questions about travel tickets to London and Texas, along with the discovery of the victim's passport in a remote area, hint at a pattern spanning multiple locations that prosecutors may build on further.

Burke was formally charged with murder in Los Angeles in April 2026 (NBC News). A preliminary hearing had originally been scheduled for June 2026 (Los Angeles Times). Burke faces murder and rape charges at the July 2026 hearing (Los Angeles Times). If the judge finds probable cause, the case moves forward to a formal charging step and trial scheduling.