- Gruesome images of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez's dismembered corpse were shown in court, leaving her parents horrified during the preliminary hearing against the singer known as D4vd.
- A homicide detective testified that D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, ordered a body bag and chainsaws online shortly after Celeste's death.
- Celeste's family described the court experience as their 'worst nightmare', with their attorney stating they were horrified by the evidence presented.
- Burke claimed to police that he did not know Celeste was a minor, stating she told him she was 18 during their interactions.
- Prosecutors allege that Burke stabbed Celeste to death after she threatened to expose their relationship, which he feared would damage his music career.
- Burke's tattoos matching those of Celeste were presented in court, including a red-ink tattoo reading 'Celeste' on his left ring finger.
- The court heard that Burke's purchases included chainsaws and a body bag, which matched the one containing Celeste's remains found in a Tesla.
Gruesome images of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez's dismembered body were presented in court during the murder trial of singer D4vd, whose real name is David Burke. The preliminary hearing revealed shocking details about the crime, including Burke's alleged actions following the teenager's death.12
Prosecutors displayed graphic crime scene photos showing Celeste's remains found in a Tesla registered to Burke. Detective Joshua Byers testified that Burke ordered a body bag, chainsaws, an inflatable pool, and a shovel online shortly after Celeste's death, indicating a calculated effort to conceal the crime. “This is the first time they've heard this evidence in detail, and they're horrified,” said the family's attorney, Patrick Steinfeld.
Burke, 21, is accused of fatally stabbing Celeste after she threatened to expose their relationship, which began when she was 13. The court heard that Burke had earned between $10 million and $11.5 million from 2023 to 2025, raising questions about his motive to silence her.
The detective described finding decomposing remains in a cadaver bag inside the Tesla, with severed limbs in another bag. Burke's tattoos, including one reading “Celeste”, were also presented as evidence. Burke has pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges, with the possibility of the death penalty looming if convicted.6
The case has drawn significant media attention, highlighting the tragic circumstances surrounding Celeste's death and the alleged actions of a rising music star.
“The singer has pleaded not guilty to murder and child sexual abuse charges; prosecutors allege he killed her to protect his music career, which earned over $10 million. The court also heard that Burke has a red 'Celeste' tattoo on his finger, identical to a 'Shhh...' tattoo on the victim's finger, and that he faces the death penalty.”
The Independent
