D4vd Murder Case Hearing Delayed as Prosecutors Detail Graphic Allegations
The criminal case against platinum-selling musician D4vd has been delayed once again, after prosecutors unveiled a detailed filing laying out their theory of the killing that led to the artist’s arrest.
Appearing in a Los Angeles courtroom on Tuesday, the singer, born David Anthony Burke, agreed to postpone his evidentiary hearing until June 29, giving his legal team additional time to respond to a prosecution brief that dramatically expanded the public understanding of the case. A separate status hearing is now scheduled for June 17.
The delay follows the release of a nine-page filing from the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office that outlines the prosecution’s version of events surrounding the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Burke, 21, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. Prosecutors have also added special circumstance allegations including murder of a witness, murder for financial gain, and lying in wait, enhancements that significantly raise the stakes if the case proceeds to trial and ends in conviction.
According to prosecutors, Burke allegedly met Rivas when she was 11 years old and later pursued a sexual relationship with her after she turned 13. The filing claims that after her family reported concerns that she had run away, investigators identified Burke through phone records and informed him directly that she was a minor. Prosecutors allege that despite this, he continued contact with her, including arranging covert communication through a phone allegedly delivered by a third party.
The prosecution claims the relationship deteriorated in the days leading up to her death.
According to the filing, text messages recovered by investigators reference sexual activity, pregnancy concerns, and abortion discussions. Prosecutors allege that after an argument, Burke arranged transportation for Rivas from Lake Elsinore to his rental property in the Hollywood Hills on April 23, 2025.
They claim she was killed shortly after arriving.
The state alleges Burke believed Rivas intended to expose the alleged abuse, creating a motive to silence her before the allegations could become public and damage his career.
Prosecutors further allege that after the killing, Burke purchased tools, including chainsaws, a shovel, a body bag, and an inflatable plastic pool under a false identity, later using them in an attempt to conceal the crime.
Investigators claim forensic evidence recovered from the garage of Burke’s rental property includes blood linked to the victim.
The most disturbing allegation involves the discovery of Rivas’ remains months later.
According to prosecutors, surveillance footage allegedly shows Burke parking his Tesla near the rental property in late July before leaving for a concert tour. The vehicle was eventually towed and impounded, where investigators say human remains were discovered inside on Sept. 8, 2025.
Earlier this month, Burke’s defense had pushed to move the case forward quickly, even as prosecutors unveiled their graphic account of the alleged killing. That posture changed on Tuesday, when the defense requested additional time following the release of the prosecution’s evidence filing, which publicly laid out details that had not previously been disclosed in court.
Burke, who found rapid success under the name D4vd, built a major following with the viral breakout Romantic Homicide before expanding into mainstream commercial success.
Burke appeared briefly in court in county jail custody and spoke only to confirm that he agreed with the delay.
