Singer D4vd Must Face Trial for Teen Girl's Killing
A judge ruled Monday that singer D4vd must stand trial. He was born David Burke and is 21 years old.
He faces charges for killing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. He is also charged with sexual abuse of a child.
He is charged with mutilation of human remains too. Judge Charlaine Olmedo made the ruling after a five-day hearing.
She found enough evidence to send the case to trial. Rivas Hernandez's remains were found in a Tesla car.
The car was registered to D4vd's address. Prosecutors say D4vd killed her to hide their relationship.
They say he wanted to protect his music career. Burke was charged with capital murder in April 2026.
That charge includes claims he waited for her before the killing. Prosecutors presented blood stains and chainsaw purchases as evidence.
They also showed explicit text messages between the two. They say the relationship began when Celeste was 12 or 13.
Key Terms 3
- capital murder A murder charge that can carry the most serious punishment.
- probable cause Enough evidence to reasonably believe a crime happened.
- preliminary hearing A court session to decide if a case should go to trial.