CASE: Horrifying D4vd Hearing — Every Detail You Need to Know
CASE FILE
THE DAVID ANTHONY BURKE (D4VD) HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION
Horrifying D4vd Hearing: Every Detail You Need to Know — The Celeste Rivas Hernandez M*rd*r Case
Preliminary Hearing & Homicide Investigation Report
Narrative by Detective Brian Coldwel
Los Angeles Police Department – Major Crimes Division
PROLOGUE – THE MUSIC STAR ACCUSED OF A TEENAGER’S DEATH
Some homicide investigations begin with a crime scene.
Others begin when a missing person case reveals something far more disturbing.
In 2025, the disappearance of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez became one of the most closely watched investigations in Los Angeles.
Celeste was a teenager whose disappearance initially left investigators searching for answers.
But months later, authorities made a discovery that transformed the case completely.
Inside the front trunk compartment of a Tesla allegedly connected to musician David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, investigators discovered human remains.
The remains were identified as Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
The missing teenager was dead.
And investigators alleged that her body had been concealed and dismembered.
David Burke, a young artist who had gained international attention through his music career, was arrested and later charged with:
First-degree murder
Continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14
Unlawful mutilation of human remains
Prosecutors presented a case built around several key allegations:
A hidden relationship between David and Celeste.
A possible motive involving financial loss and exposure.
Evidence suggesting attempts to conceal the crime.
Digital records.
DNA evidence.
Vehicle evidence.
But the defense argued that investigators had not proven exactly how Celeste died or who caused the injuries.
The preliminary hearing became a crucial legal battle.
The prosecution’s goal:
Show enough evidence for the case to continue toward trial.
The defense’s goal:
Create enough doubt to challenge the prosecution’s theory.
Inside the courtroom, disturbing evidence was presented:
Photos of the Tesla where Celeste’s remains were found
Testimony about decomposition and autopsy findings
DNA analysis
Evidence of possible cleanup efforts
Questions about missing tools and forensic uncertainty
The case forced investigators, attorneys, and the public to confront one central question:
Did David Burke murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez?
Or can the defense create enough uncertainty to prevent the case from moving forward?
CHAPTER 1 – WHO WAS CELESTE RIVAS HERNANDEZ?
Celeste Rivas Hernandez was 14 years old.
Before becoming the center of a major criminal investigation, she was simply a teenager.
A daughter.
A family member.
A young person with a future ahead of her.
Her disappearance devastated her family.
Her parents later attended court proceedings and sat through painful testimony about their daughter’s final moments.
CHAPTER 2 – WHO IS DAVID ANTHONY BURKE?
David Anthony Burke became known publicly through his music career.
He performed under the name:
D4vd
Before the investigation, he was recognized as a rising young artist.
His career had grown quickly.
He had:
A growing fanbase
A record deal
Significant financial opportunities
Prosecutors later argued that his public success became part of the motive in the case.
CHAPTER 3 – THE DISCOVERY THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
In September 2025, investigators discovered human remains inside a Tesla.
The vehicle was reportedly connected to David Burke.
The location:
The front trunk compartment.
Authorities identified the remains as belonging to Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
The discovery immediately changed the investigation.
A missing teenager case became a homicide investigation.
CHAPTER 4 – THE ALLEGED RELATIONSHIP
Prosecutors alleged that David and Celeste had an inappropriate relationship.
They claimed:
David knew Celeste was under 14
The relationship continued secretly
Exposure of that relationship could damage David’s career
Prosecutors argued that this created a possible motive.
CHAPTER 5 – THE PRELIMINARY HEARING
The preliminary hearing was not a trial.
The purpose was different.
The judge had to determine:
Was there enough evidence for the case to continue?
The prosecution did not need to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
They only needed to establish probable cause.
CHAPTER 6 – DAVID BURKE INSIDE THE COURTROOM
During the hearing, observers described David’s courtroom behavior as unusual.
He appeared:
Quiet
Emotionless
Mostly still
He wore:
Los Angeles County jail clothing
Shackles during portions of proceedings
Glasses
Observers noted that he rarely reacted during disturbing testimony.
CHAPTER 7 – THE VICTIM’S FAMILY WATCHES THE HEARING
Celeste’s parents attended court.
They were present during testimony involving:
Crime scene evidence
Photos
Autopsy details
Observers described the experience as extremely painful.
During some testimony, Celeste’s parents left the courtroom.
CHAPTER 8 – THE TESLA EVIDENCE
A major focus of the hearing was the Tesla.
Investigators testified about what they discovered inside the vehicle.
Evidence included:
Human remains
Bags containing remains
Signs investigators believed indicated concealment efforts
CHAPTER 9 – THE AIR FRESHENER EVIDENCE
One disturbing detail involved the number of air fresheners found inside the Tesla.
Investigators testified they discovered approximately 11 air fresheners.
They were found:
Inside the vehicle
In the center console
In the back area
Inside the front trunk
Prosecutors argued this suggested an attempt to cover an odor caused by decomposition.
CHAPTER 10 – THE GARAGE BLOOD EVIDENCE
Investigators also testified about possible blood evidence connected to David’s garage.
LAPD criminalists described finding possible blood staining:
Beneath rubber mats
On brick flooring
Prosecutors argued this suggested evidence may have leaked from the Tesla.
CHAPTER 11 – THE DNA EVIDENCE
DNA evidence became one of the largest issues during the hearing.
A criminalist testified about DNA testing.
The prosecution argued some DNA results were extremely unlikely to belong to anyone other than Celeste.
They presented statistical probabilities involving extremely large numbers.
CHAPTER 12 – THE DEFENSE DNA ARGUMENT
The defense challenged the interpretation.
They argued:
DNA presence does not automatically prove when or how it was deposited.
They questioned:
Transfer possibilities
Secondary DNA transfer
Whether DNA came from blood or other contact
CHAPTER 13 – THE TERTIARY TRANSFER THEORY
Defense attorneys presented a hypothetical:
Could DNA move from one person to another surface through indirect contact?
The DNA expert acknowledged this was possible.
The defense used this to argue that evidence required careful interpretation.
CHAPTER 14 – THE CHAINSaw QUESTIONS
Investigators searched David’s home.
They recovered chainsaws.
However, testimony revealed:
The chainsaws tested negative for blood.
A criminalist stated there was no forensic reason to believe those specific tools were used in the dismemberment.
CHAPTER 15 – THE MISSING CHAINSAW
A separate chainsaw became an issue.
Investigators learned another chainsaw had reportedly been purchased.
That chainsaw was not located during the search.
The defense highlighted the missing tool.
CHAPTER 16 – THE FAKE BLOOD DISCOVERY
Another unusual piece of evidence involved fake blood.
Investigators testified that containers of fake blood were found in David’s garage.
The significance of that discovery remained part of the broader prosecution theory.
CHAPTER 17 – THE AUTOPSY TESTIMONY
Deputy Medical Examiner Dr. Grant Ho testified regarding Celeste’s autopsy.
He explained:
The condition of the remains
The level of decomposition
The injuries discovered
The testimony was extremely difficult for people inside the courtroom.
CHAPTER 18 – IDENTIFICATION OF CELESTE
Because of decomposition, identification was difficult.
Authorities relied on:
Dental records
Medical information
The medical examiner noted that Celeste still had braces.
Those dental records helped confirm her identity.
CHAPTER 19 – CAUSE AND MANNER OF DEATH
The medical examiner determined:
Cause of death:
Multiple penetrating injuries
Manner of death:
Homicide
However, investigators could not definitively identify:
The exact weapon
The exact sequence of injuries
Which injury caused death first
CHAPTER 20 – THE SHARP WEAPON QUESTION
One major legal issue involved a special circumstance allegation:
That David personally used a sharp instrument.
The medical examiner testified that he could not conclusively determine:
Whether a sharp weapon caused all injuries
Exactly what object caused the wounds
The defense emphasized this uncertainty.
CHAPTER 21 – THE GUNSHOT POSSIBILITY
Another issue involved possible rib damage.
The medical examiner testified that some injuries could not be definitively linked to a specific tool.
The defense questioned whether other explanations remained possible.
CHAPTER 22 – THE DISMEMBERMENT EVIDENCE
Authorities alleged Celeste’s body was dismembered.
The medical examiner discussed injuries involving:
Soft tissue
Bone damage
However, he could not identify the exact tool used.
CHAPTER 23 – THE PROSECUTION THEORY
Prosecutors argued the evidence showed:
David had access to Celeste
Her remains were found in a vehicle connected to him
Evidence suggested concealment
Digital and forensic evidence linked him to the crime
They argued the case should proceed to trial.
CHAPTER 24 – THE DEFENSE THEORY
The defense focused on uncertainty.
They argued:
The cause of death was not fully established
The murder weapon was unknown
DNA interpretation required caution
Investigators had not ruled out alternative explanations
CHAPTER 25 – THE FINANCIAL MOTIVE ALLEGATION
Prosecutors discussed David’s music career.
They argued he had significant financial opportunities.
They suggested that exposure of an alleged relationship with Celeste could threaten:
His career
His income
His public image
CHAPTER 26 – THE BUSINESS TESTIMONY
A financial associate testified about David’s career.
The testimony involved:
Record earnings
Financial management
Business relationships
Prosecutors used this information to support the possible financial motive.
CHAPTER 27 – THE WITNESS CREDIBILITY ISSUE
One witness’s testimony became controversial.
Prosecutors questioned differences between:
Grand jury testimony
Court testimony
They asked whether the witness’s story had changed.
CHAPTER 28 – COURTROOM RESTRICTIONS
Because of the sensitivity of the case:
Cameras were prohibited
Phones were restricted
Courtroom rules were strictly enforced
A reporter was reportedly removed after violating court transmission rules.
CHAPTER 29 – THE NEXT LEGAL STEP
The purpose of the preliminary hearing was to determine whether prosecutors had enough evidence.
If the judge finds probable cause:
The case moves forward toward trial.
At trial, prosecutors would face a much higher burden:
Proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
FINAL NOTE – DETECTIVE BRIAN COLDWEL
The David Burke and Celeste Rivas Hernandez case is one of the most disturbing investigations because it combines:
A missing teenager.
A young celebrity.
A hidden relationship.
A vehicle containing human remains.
And a courtroom battle over forensic evidence.
The prosecution has presented a case built on:
Digital evidence
DNA
Vehicle evidence
Witness testimony
Circumstantial evidence
The defense has focused on:
Scientific uncertainty
Alternative explanations
Gaps in the timeline
But at the center of the investigation is not fame.
Not money.
Not legal strategy.
It is a 14-year-old girl whose life ended far too soon.
The purpose of the court process is to determine the truth.
And that truth will ultimately depend on the evidence presented before a jury.
CASE STATUS: ACTIVE – PRELIMINARY HEARING / HOMICIDE PROSECUTION
DEFENDANT: DAVID ANTHONY BURKE (D4VD)
VICTIM: CELESTE RIVAS HERNANDEZ, AGE 14
CHARGES: FIRST-DEGREE MURDER / CONTINUOUS SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD / UNLAWFUL MUTILATION OF HUMAN REMAINS
KEY EVIDENCE: TESLA VEHICLE / DNA ANALYSIS / AUTOPSY FINDINGS / DIGITAL RECORDS / FINANCIAL TESTIMONY
