D4vd murder case: Preliminary hearing begins as prosecutors present disturbing allegations

Streamer and inger D4vd is facing a critical stage in the criminal case over the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, as a preliminary hearing gets underway in Los Angeles. The proceedings mark the first major opportunity for prosecutors to present evidence and testimony in court following the singer’s arrest in April 2026. The case has drawn intense attention because of the disturbing allegations surrounding the teenager’s death and the discovery of her remains inside an impounded Tesla. D4vd, whose legal name is David Burke, has pleaded not guilty and maintains his innocence through his legal team.D4vd murder case enters preliminary hearing in Los AngelesThe hearing began on July 21 and is expected to continue for three to seven days. Prosecutors must present enough evidence to establish probable cause for the case to proceed to trial.Burke appeared in court wearing an orange jail uniform and shackles. His attorneys asked the court to remove the restraints, arguing they were unnecessary and undignified. The judge rejected that request, although officials removed his handcuffs.Early testimony came from a police detective who responded to a Hollywood tow yard in September 2025, when investigators discovered Rivas Hernandez’s decomposing, dismembered remains in two body bags inside the front trunk of Burke’s impounded Tesla.Prosecutors allege that Burke and the teenager began a sexual relationship in 2023, when he was 18 and she was 13. They further claim that she threatened to expose the relationship and damage his career if he refused to remain exclusive to her.According to a prosecution brief filed after his arrest, Burke allegedly ordered an Uber that brought the teenager to his Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025. Prosecutors say that was the last time she was seen alive.The filing also alleges that he stabbed her multiple times and later dismembered her body. Prosecutors claim he ordered two chainsaws online and removed two of her fingers because her ring finger bore a tattoo of his name. These claims remain allegations and have not been established at trial.D4vd’s lawyers deny murder allegations as family seeks privacyBurke faces charges that include first-degree murder, sexual abuse of a child and unlawful mutilation of human remains. He remains in custody without bail.His defence team has firmly rejected the accusations. Following his arrest, attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter said they intended to challenge the prosecution’s case."The actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death," his attorneys said in a statement.Berk had previously called for a prompt preliminary hearing, saying the defence wanted the evidence presented openly and at the earliest opportunity.Meanwhile, the teenager’s family has asked for privacy as they cope with the case. Their attorney, Patrick Steinfeld, described the family’s suffering in April."There are no words to express the indescribable pain the family is experiencing right now," Steinfeld said. "They still have bills to pay and jobs they go to every day. All they want is time to grieve and heal."The preliminary hearing will determine whether sufficient evidence exists to move the case towards trial. It will not decide Burke’s guilt or innocence.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.