1 hour ago
NEWYou tin now perceive to Fox News articles!
The California vocalist accused of grooming a 14-year-old woman only to murder her erstwhile she threatened to expose him and past dismembering her remains pinch a chainsaw appeared successful beforehand of a Los Angeles judge Tuesday for nan first time of a preliminary proceeding expected to clear nan measurement for nan lawsuit to spell to trial.
David Burke, who performs nether nan sanction "D4vd," is accused of sidesplitting a teen woman named Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose unrecognizable remains prosecutors opportunity were recovered chopped up and decomposing successful nan trunk of his Tesla, abandoned 400 feet up nan thoroughfare from his location successful Hollywood Hills. Two of her fingers, which contained identifying tattoos, were ne'er recovered.
Burke faces charges of murder, kid activity maltreatment and unlawful mutilation of quality remains.
RISING SINGER DISMEMBERED TEEN WHO THREATENED TO EXPOSE HIM IN KIDDIE POOL WITH CHAINSAW: DA
Singer D4vd was arrested successful Los Angeles successful relationship to nan execution of a 14-year-old woman recovered successful a Tesla trunk, constabulary say. (Photo by Timothy Norris/Getty Images for Coachella)
Prior to nan hearing, which is expected to return astir 3 to 5 days, Celeste's parents, Jesus Rivas and Mercedes Martinez, were spotted entering nan Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
There were nary cameras allowed successful nan courtroom Tuesday arsenic prosecutors displayed gruesome images and shared sadistic specifications pinch nan court.
A Los Angeles homicide detective took nan guidelines to talk nan grisly scene, pinch Celeste's parents opting to stay successful nan assemblage erstwhile fixed a chance to time off earlier his testimony, according to FOX 11 Los Angeles.
SEND US A TIP HERE
Photographs, friendly notes, and flowers are among nan items near astatine a memorial connected Thursday for slain teen Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who was recovered dormant successful nan trunk of a Tesla successful a Hollywood tow gait connected Sept. 25, 2025, successful Lake Elsinore, California. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
"There were maggots," LAPD Detective Joshua Byers testified, according to the California Post. "There were flies. I don't cognize really to picture nan different liquid matter."
Martinez looked for illustration she mightiness faint arsenic a protagonist leaned complete to thief her, according to nan FOX LA report. Burke, shackled to a chair, reportedly showed nary visible reaction.
SINGER D4VD ARRESTED AND HELD WITHOUT BAIL IN CASE TIED TO TEEN FOUND DEAD IN TESLA
The parents of Celeste Rivas, Jesus Rivas and Mercedes Martinez get to nan Hall of Justice successful Los Angeles, California, Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Their daughter's alleged killer, D4vd, is successful a pretrial proceeding for nan execution case. (Jef Steinberg/Splash for Fox News Digital)
Prosecutors allege that Burke first met Celeste erstwhile she was 11 and began molesting her successful November 2023, erstwhile she was 13 and he was 18.
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman told reporters extracurricular nan courthouse that a determination connected whether to activity nan decease punishment has not yet been made.
FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X
The charges against Burke are decease punishment eligible. If prosecutors don't activity superior punishment, which is nether a moratorium successful California, Burke would look a maximum condemnation of life without parole if convicted.
Hochman added that while prosecutors will coming immoderate grounds passim nan preliminary hearing, they would person much to show astatine trial.
SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS
Los Angeles District Attorney, Nathan Hochman addresses nan media extracurricular of Foltz courthouse successful Los Angeles, California, Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Hip hop prima D4vd is facing a pretrial proceeding for nan execution of Celeste Rivas. (Jeff Steinberg/Splash for Fox News Digital)
Prosecutors expect to telephone 10 witnesses, including members of nan constabulary section and coroner's office.
Burke and Celeste spent "a important magnitude of time" together successful 2024, erstwhile Burke allegedly flew nan kid to Las Vegas, London and Texas and introduced her to his family, prosecutors person alleged successful tribunal filings. In November of that year, however, they "broke up."
"[Text] messages uncover nan victim's jealousy complete defendant's relationships pinch different women, arsenic suspect led her to judge they had a early together," prosecutors wrote. "She became highly upset and threatened to disclose damaging accusation astir her narration pinch suspect to extremity his profession and destruct his life."
SINGER D4VD PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO MURDER OF YOUNG GIRL ALLEGEDLY FOUND DISMEMBERED, DECOMPOSING IN HIS CAR
That was 2 days earlier his debut medium dropped. Burke allegedly ordered Celeste an Uber and is accused of concocting a "plan to screen up nan murder" that progressive sending matter messages to her telephone asking wherever she was — allegedly aft he'd already stabbed her to death.
Mugshot of D4vd, who is facing a first-degree execution complaint successful nan decease of a 14-year-old girl. (Los Angeles County District Attorney)
LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST
The greeting aft the murder, Burke sat for a power question and reply astir his forthcoming album, prosecutors person said previously.
During nan question and reply connected "The Zach Sang Show," he discussed "losing relationships" and really he could move nan losses into songs, including 1 named "Romantic Homicide."
LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB
"But you saying expecting it to extremity successful a devastating, tragic, sad measurement truthful it tin animate art? But are you manifesting that successful a definite way?" nan interviewer asked.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
"I really dream I’m not because it feels that way," Burke replied.
He besides explained really to pronounce "D4vd" successful nan episode, which is still connected YouTube.
