Prosecutors are attempting to establish a financial motive in the murder case of David Anthony Burke, known as the singer D4vd, alleging he killed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez to protect his rising music career. Burke, currently held without bail, faces charges including first-degree murder and child sexual abuse.
Interscope Records Compensation and Financial Motives
On the second day of a preliminary hearing in Los Angeles, prosecutors presented evidence detailing the multimillion-dollar recording contract held by David Anthony Burke. Testimony from a former label executive revealed that between 2022 and 2025, Interscope Records paid Burke and affiliated entities more than $7.2m. This compensation included payments over a period during which his music career was significantly expanding.
Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman argued that these figures provide context for a potential motive. Prosecutors allege that Burke, then 20, stabbed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez to death at his Hollywood Hills home in April 2025 to prevent her from exposing an ongoing sexual relationship. According to court filings, investigators believe the disclosure of the relationship could have jeopardized the singer’s professional trajectory.
Forensic Evidence and the Discovery of Remains
The investigation into the disappearance of Rivas Hernandez involves a recovery of remains in September 2025 from a Tesla registered to the musician. Chelsea Murillo, a criminalist with the Los Angeles Police Department, testified regarding the state of the vehicle, noting that a layer of dust on the exterior suggested it had been stationary for an extended period. Forensic examination revealed insect activity and a distinct odor of decomposition within the car’s trunk.
Additional evidence introduced in court includes digital records and physical purchases. Documents reviewed by Complex state that detectives found evidence of dismemberment in an inflatable pool at Burke’s rental property. Prosecutors further allege that the defendant used a fake name to purchase items including two chainsaws, heavy-duty laundry bags, and a body bag in the days following the teenager’s disappearance.
For more on this story, see Prosecutors Present Graphic Evidence in D4vd Murder Preliminary Hearing.
Status of the Preliminary Hearing and Defense Stance
Burke has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges, which include first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and the unlawful mutilation of human remains. His legal team maintains his innocence, asserting that the evidence will not support the prosecution’s claims. During a status hearing on July 7, a judge approved the addition of another defense attorney to the counsel table and addressed procedural concerns, including the use of shackles in the courtroom.
The victim’s parents, Jesus Rivas and Mercedes Martinez, have been present throughout the proceedings. During testimony on Wednesday, Martinez was visibly distressed when a photograph of her daughter’s passport—recovered by a Caltrans employee in January 2026—was displayed to the court.
Victim Family Support and Legal Next Steps
Prosecutor Beth Silverman has noted that the family is navigating the process with as much resilience as possible. Family attorney Patrick Steinfeld previously stated that the Rivas family has been approached by multiple production companies seeking to document the case, but they have declined all involvement in such projects. The preliminary hearing, which began this week, is scheduled to continue through late July to determine if there is sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial.
If convicted, Burke faces potential penalties ranging from life imprisonment without the possibility of parole to the death penalty, though prosecutors have not yet confirmed if they will seek capital punishment. The court is expected to reach a decision on the probable cause for trial following the conclusion of the current hearing phase.
Keep reading