Disturbing new details emerged today in the preliminary hearing of accused child murderer David, as prosecutors presented graphic evidence of the dismembered remains of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was found in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to the 21-year-old singer.
The hearing, which is expected to last three to five days, will determine whether there is sufficient probable cause for David, known professionally as D4vd, to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder, continuous sexual 𝓪𝓫𝓾𝓼𝓮 of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
NBC LA reporter Julia Deng, who was inside the courtroom, described a media circus outside the courthouse and an intensely emotional atmosphere inside as Celeste’s parents sat just three rows in front of her, huddling together as gruesome crime scene photos were displayed.
Prosecutors allege David was in a sexual relationship with Celeste and killed her to keep her quiet, then dismembered her body in an attempt to cover up the crime. David has pleaded not guilty and maintains his innocence.
The hearing began with testimony from a senior deputy who responded to a welfare check at David’s Hollywood Hills home in 2024, shortly after Celeste was reported missing. Body camera footage played in court showed David laughing and joking with officers, offering them drinks from his fridge.
In the footage, David told deputies that Celeste had told him she was 18. He was informed she was actually 13. The deputy on the stand described David as “very cooperative” during the encounter, but prosecutors are expected to argue that he was not honest about the nature of their relationship.
The most chilling moment came when prosecutors presented side-by-side photos of Celeste’s hands. One hand was missing two fingers; the other bore a small tattoo reading “Sh.” As the images appeared on screen, David leaned forward slightly but showed no visible emotion.
During the presentation of the crime scene photos, the courtroom fell silent. Celeste’s parents bowed their heads, and a victim advocate from the district attorney’s office placed a comforting arm around the mother. Deng later encountered the mother in the restroom, her eyes red and swollen.
Detective Josh Buyers from the LAPD robbery-homicide division testified about his arrival at the scene. He described finding two cadaver bags in the Tesla’s front trunk, one containing a torso and head, the other containing severed limbs in a black garbage bag with blue handles.
Buyers told the court that decomposition was so advanced that facial features could not be identified. He requested dental records from Celeste’s dentist to confirm her identity. He also detailed a search of David’s rental property where an unopened burn box was found.
The detective reviewed United Airlines records showing flights purchased by David for himself and Celeste from Los Angeles to Texas and London, further evidence prosecutors say points to a continuous sexual relationship.
Throughout the morning session, David appeared bored and disengaged at times, resting his face in his hands. He spoke only to answer “Yes, your honor” when the judge reviewed the rules of the hearing.
During a brief press conference, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hawkman confirmed that the state has not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty. He emphasized that the preliminary hearing standard is probable cause, not beyond a reasonable doubt.
Hawkman said the prosecution will call more than ten witnesses over the course of the hearing, including officers, coroner testimony, and individual witnesses. He noted that hearsay evidence not admissible at trial can be used at this stage.
The defense is expected to focus on David’s cooperation with police and his claim that he believed Celeste was 18. They have signaled they will challenge the prosecution’s timeline and the nature of the relationship.
This case has drawn widespread attention due to David’s rising music career and the horrific nature of the allegations. Fans and journalists from across the country have gathered outside the courthouse each day.
As the hearing continues, the court will weigh whether the evidence presented is strong enough to send the case to trial. A decision is expected later this week or early next.
For Celeste’s family, every moment in that courtroom is a painful reminder of the loss they have endured. They sat stoically as detectives described the state of their daughter’s remains, their only visible reaction the slight movement of their heads and bodies drawing closer together.
Prosecutors are building their case chronologically, starting with the disappearance of Celeste in 2024 and moving through the investigation that led to David’s arrest. The body cam footage from the welfare check is seen as a key piece of evidence.
In that footage, David can be heard casually chatting with deputies while eating a bag of chips. When asked if Celeste looked 13, he did not answer directly. The deputies left without taking any action, but the investigation continued.
Detective Buyers testified that by the time he received the case, Celeste’s father had already called police after media helicopters spotted the Tesla. Buyers himself was in one of those helicopters that day.
The discovery of the burn box at David’s rental property raised questions about whether he had prepared to dispose of remains, though prosecutors have not linked it directly to Celeste’s body.
As the lunch break ended, the courtroom reconvened for the afternoon session. The defense began cross-examining Detective Buyers, focusing on the timeline and the reliability of witness statements.
David sat quietly at the defense table, flanked by his attorneys. He occasionally glanced at the screen where evidence was displayed. At one point, he appeared to whisper something to his lawyer.
The hearing is expected to continue for several days. If the judge finds probable cause, the case will move to trial, where a jury will determine David’s guilt or innocence beyond a reasonable doubt.
For now, the preliminary hearing offers the public the first detailed look at the evidence against David. The graphic nature of the testimony has already sparked outrage online, but legal experts caution that the case is far from over.
In the hallway during a break, a reporter overheard two producers discussing how startling it was to see the remains without warning. The media presence is expected to remain intense throughout the proceedings.
District Attorney Hawkman has pledged to keep the public informed. He said a decision on the death penalty will be made after the preliminary hearing, once the full scope of the case is clearer.
Celeste’s family has not spoken publicly, but their presence in court each day sends a powerful message. They are seeking justice for a daughter whose life was cut short in the most brutal way imaginable.
As the afternoon session progressed, the courtroom remained packed. Every seat was filled, and latecomers stood along the walls. The atmosphere was tense, punctuated only by the sound of typing and the occasional whispered conversation.
David’s demeanor remained flat. He showed little reaction even when the prosecution described the mutilation of Celeste’s remains. The only moment that seemed to catch his attention was when the tattoo photo appeared.
The preliminary hearing is a critical juncture in the legal process. If the case proceeds to trial, it could take months or even years to reach a verdict. In the meantime, the public will continue to follow every development.
Outside the courthouse, a small group of supporters held signs reading “Justice for Celeste.” They stood silently as reporters streamed in and out. The scene underscored the deep emotions this case has stirred.
As the sun set over Los Angeles, the first day of the hearing came to a close. The judge recessed until the following morning. David was led away in handcuffs, his expression unchanged.
The coming days will bring more testimony, more evidence, and more heartache for those who loved Celeste. But for now, the legal process has taken its first formal step toward accountability.
This story is developing. More updates will follow as the preliminary hearing continues.