The full court transcripts from the preliminary hearing of singer-songwriter David Anthony Burke, known professionally as d4vd, have been obtained by Law & Crime, revealing a trove of previously unreported details in the case that has shocked the music industry and the public alike. The 21-year-old musician, who catapulted to fame as a teenager with hit songs streamed hundreds of millions of times, now stands accused of the brutal murder and dismemberment of 14-year-old Celeste Riveras Hernandez, and the newly surfaced documents paint a harrowing picture of the alleged relationship, the events surrounding her death, and the evidence prosecutors will bring to trial.
The documents, obtained by Law & Crime and reviewed extensively by legal analysts, provide a verbatim account of the five-day preliminary hearing that concluded with a judge ruling there is sufficient evidence for Burke to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder with special circumstances, continuous sexual 𝓪𝓫𝓾𝓼𝓮 of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges, but the transcript reveals the mountain of circumstantial and digital evidence arrayed against him, including text messages that allegedly show him orchestrating a plan for the teenage girl to run away to live with him, arranging for her to obtain an abortion, and then sending frantic messages attempting to establish an alibi after the prosecution alleges she was already dead.
According to the transcripts, Los Angeles Police Department officers testified about the grim discovery of Hernandez’s remains in the front trunk of a Tesla Model X registered to Burke, which had been impounded by a Hollywood tow yard in September. The vehicle had reportedly begun to reek of decomposition, prompting an inspection that led to the discovery. Officer Joshua Byers of the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Unit described the condition of the decedent, testifying that there was “quite a bit of decomposition to where the skin slippage and most and made it unrecognizable.”
The officer also detailed a distinctive tattoo on the young girl’s right index finger—the word “shhh” with periods—which investigators used to positively identify her and link her to Burke, who allegedly had a matching tattoo.
The transcripts detail the discovery of at least eleven air fresheners placed throughout the Tesla, including in the front trunk area where Hernandez’s remains were found. LAPD criminalist Chelsea Moriel testified about the placement of the air fresheners, noting that the majority were in the center console, with others in the rear seats and in the frunk area itself. Photographs presented in court showed insect activity and maggots surrounding one of the air fresheners in the trunk, an image so graphic that the judge called for a morning recess.
Prosecutors are expected to argue that the sheer number of air fresheners demonstrates Burke’s knowledge of what was in the vehicle and his attempt to mask the overwhelming odor of decomposition.
Financial records presented during the hearing revealed that Burke generated approximately $10 to $11. 5 million in gross earnings between 2023 and 2025, according to testimony from Benjamin Gregor, the former director of finance at Mogul Vision Partners, the firm that managed Burke’s finances. This staggering sum is central to the prosecution’s special circumstances allegation of killing for financial gain, with Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman arguing that Burke killed Hernandez to protect his career, reputation, and earning potential.
The transcripts also reveal that Burke’s mother, Colleen, was allegedly advised to transfer properties purchased with her son’s money out of his name and into hers, with testimony indicating the move was made to “protect the estate from any civil suit” that might be brought by Hernandez’s family.
Perhaps the most disturbing revelations in the transcripts come from the digital evidence extracted from Burke’s phone and iCloud account. Detective Corey Ferrell testified that Burke’s iPhone lock screen displayed a photograph of him and Hernandez embracing, with neither wearing clothing on their upper bodies. The detective also described the relationship that began when Hernandez was reportedly just 11 years old, when the two first began communicating online.
Investigators allege that their sexual relationship began when she was 13 and Burke was 18, forming the basis for the continuous sexual 𝓪𝓫𝓾𝓼𝓮 charges he now faces. The transcripts include detailed text message exchanges about past and future sexual liaisons, sexual positioning, and the future of their relationship, with the detective testifying that these were the generalized subjects of their ongoing communications.
The text messages read into the record reveal a deeply troubling dynamic, including discussions about the possibility of Hernandez becoming pregnant. In one exchange from November 2023, when Hernandez had just turned 13 years old, she texted Burke about her missed period, misspelling “manifesting” in her message. Burke responded with advice to download a period-tracking application, writing, “Use flow,” and adding, “And now that it’s ovulation week for you, it’s important.”
When Hernandez replied, “If I’m pregnant though, I’m not having it,” the messages confirm she was just two months past her 13th birthday at the time. The transcripts further reveal that Hernandez allegedly terminated at least one pregnancy, with text messages from January showing her telling Burke, “It’s okay though, don’t worry. Neither of us are capable of watching and taking care of the baby.
It’s for the best, no?” Burke responded, “Yeah, I know,” and later asked her, “When you going to get it done?” She replied, “2 days.”
Burke then allegedly asked a chilling follow-up question, quoting his mother’s advice, asking, “But it is mine, right?” Hernandez responded, “Of course it’s yours, David.”
The couple allegedly referred to a plan for Hernandez to leave her family and come live with Burke as “Operation Awesome,” or “OA.” The transcripts detail Burke’s involvement of a man named Sheldon, who was hired as Burke’s personal security, in this alleged plot to extract the teenage girl from her home. On February 14th, Burke allegedly texted Hernandez with detailed instructions, writing, “So, explain me what you want to do.
I tell Sheldon stop at stop sign, and you make multiple trips to car.” When Hernandez expressed hesitation, responding “Hell no,” Burke allegedly pushed forward, asking about her packing arrangements and suggesting she use a duffel bag. The messages reveal a pattern where Burke appeared to be the driving force behind the plan, while Hernandez expressed increasing nervousness and reluctance.
The transcripts also expose a string of disturbing exchanges that prosecutors say demonstrate Burke’s manipulation and control over the young girl. In one message, Burke allegedly wrote, “I’m thinking about your abortion gift,” to which Hernandez allegedly responded that she wanted a Balenciaga Hourglass purse. Later that same day, she texted Burke about the possibility of a 𝒔𝒆𝒙 tape, asking, “Is no leak it, please.”
Burke allegedly responded with a capitalized slur, telling her not to leak it. The transcripts show Burke frequently telling Hernandez he loved her, and at times seeming to place blame for the relationship’s progression on her. In one notable message, he wrote, “Like this happens every time.
I’m always passive and you initiate and I just go with it. You initiated the first kiss. You asked me to be your boyfriend first.”
The final messages between the pair, sent on the night prosecutors allege Burke killed Hernandez, are particularly damning. At 10:10 p. m.
, Burke sent a message reading “gate open, door unlocked.” At 10:31 p. m.
, he texted, “Uber said you’re here. Where are you at?” He then sent messages reading “Hello” and “Bro” before typing her name.
Detective Ferrell testified that no further messages were ever received from Hernandez after 10:36 p. m. that night.
Burke then allegedly sent a series of follow-up messages designed to create the impression he did not know where she was, including “Bro, blocking me?” and “Hello” again. At 11:41 p.
m. , he sent what prosecutors allege was the key alibi text: “I’mma call Jen, bro. You’re scaring me.”
The prosecution’s motive theory centers on threats Hernandez allegedly made in her final hours, believing that Burke was developing a romantic relationship with another online content creator, Asia Collins. In a profanity-laced message, Hernandez allegedly threatened to leak information about Burke, vowing to create anonymous accounts to expose their relationship online. She threatened to ruin him socially and professionally, and even threatened to 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 him, but notably, the detective testified that she never once mentioned going to law enforcement.
Burke’s defense team seized on this point, arguing that her threats were only to expose him socially, not to report him to police, which they claim undermines the special circumstances allegation of murder to prevent a witness from testifying.
During closing arguments, defense attorney Ms. Benarsky moved for dismissal on all counts, arguing that the prosecution had produced “at most evidence that a young woman’s body was dismembered, transported, and concealed” but had failed to prove malice aforethought or that Burke was the killer. She argued that the evidence of presumptive blood found in Burke’s garage and the trunk of his car was “consistent with dismemberment of a body in a cut-up pool” but was “not evidence of a killing, much less of a killing by this defendant with malice.”
She also challenged the financial gain special circumstance, arguing that no California case extends the legal standard to include “preservation of future earning capacity,” and pointed out that Burke showed no interest in his finances whatsoever.
Prosecutor Beth Silverman delivered a forceful rebuttal, arguing that the nature of the wounds makes an accident impossible. “We’re talking about a victim who has been stabbed twice,” she said. “I can’t understand how anybody would believe that you wouldn’t notice that.
I assume there would have been some vocalization. And during that time, the defendant doesn’t call 911, he doesn’t call law enforcement, he apparently doesn’t call any friends. There’s nothing about this case that sounds like an accident.”
The judge agreed, ordering Burke held to answer on all charges and setting bail at none, committing him to the custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman has stated that the evidence presented at the preliminary hearing represents only “a fraction of the evidence his team will present at trial.” While no decision has been announced regarding whether prosecutors will seek the death penalty, Hochman has indicated his office would be open to plea negotiations. Legal experts suggest the looming possibility of capital punishment may be intended to pressure Burke into accepting a plea deal.
With his formal arraignment scheduled for August 31st, Burke faces the prospect of a trial that will undoubtedly expose further details of a case that has already captured national attention for its disturbing allegations of 𝓪𝓫𝓾𝓼𝓮, manipulation, and the ultimate destruction of a young girl’s life at the hands of a rising music star.