In a chilling development, singer David Burke, known professionally as D4vd, is set to face a preliminary hearing on July 21 regarding serious charges, including murder. This follows the tragic case of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose dismembered remains were discovered in a Tesla linked to Burke.
The haunting discovery occurred in September 2025 when the abandoned vehicle was found in a Los Angeles neighborhood and subsequently taken to an impound lot. At the time, Burke was abroad, promoting his latest album on an international tour. He was arrested on April 16 after a thorough investigation into the case.
By April 20, Burke was officially charged with murder, sexual 𝓪𝓫𝓾𝓼𝓮 of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. He has pleaded not guilty to all allegations.
According to NBC Los Angeles, Burke recently appeared in court for a status hearing, where both his legal team and prosecutors reached a consensus to proceed with the preliminary hearing later this month. This critical session will determine if there is sufficient evidence for Burke to stand trial and is expected to last around five days.
Reports indicate that a previous hearing scheduled for July 7 was postponed, granting Burke’s attorneys additional time to examine the evidence against him.
If found guilty, Burke faces severe penalties, including the possibility of life imprisonment or even the death penalty, as highlighted by NBC Los Angeles.
As this gripping case unfolds, many are left wondering what the upcoming hearing will reveal.