DNA Links Teen to Bloodstains in Singer D4vd’s Garage

DNA Evidence Links D4vd to Garage Stains in Murder Hearing

Evidence recovered from apparent blood stains in the Hollywood garage of indie-pop singer David Burke—known professionally as D4vd—is a strong DNA match for 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, according to testimony delivered by Los Angeles police criminalist Samantha Tosch during a preliminary hearing. Prosecutors allege Burke stabbed the teenager in his home and dismembered her body in the garage after she threatened to expose their sexual relationship and ruin his career. The ongoing hearing in Los Angeles will determine if Burke stands trial on charges of murder, sexual abuse of a child, and mutilation of a body. Burke has pleaded not guilty, and his defense attorneys maintain they will vigorously defend him against the allegations.

Forensic Testing Details and Match Probabilities

Police technicians recovered the biological samples from a rubber floor mat, a rowing machine, and a Tesla charger located inside the singer’s garage, according to testimony presented in court. Tosch testified that several of the samples yielded matches indicating it was “one septillion times more likely to occur if it originated from Celeste rather than anyone else in the population,” noting that the statistical figure contains 24 zeros. While prosecutors previously referenced the presence of her DNA in court filings, the specific physical evidence and testing metrics were made public for the first time during the proceedings. Additional testing on a trash bag and stained cleaning wipes found in the garage revealed a mixture of DNA from four individuals, including at least two males. Tosch stated that one of the male profiles matched Burke, and Rivas Hernandez’s DNA was identified on the wipes, though not on the bag itself.

Defense Scrutinizes Testing Methods and Sample Origins

During cross-examination by defense attorney Blair Berk, Tosch conceded that she could not state with absolute certainty that the collected profiles originated from blood, noting they could potentially be attributed to touch DNA. “I cannot with any certainty say that they came from blood,” Tosch replied under questioning. Tosch further acknowledged under defense questioning that it is impossible to determine precisely how DNA deposits occurred, whether transfer between individuals took place, or how long the genetic material had remained on the surfaces. The defense team also pressed police witnesses regarding why additional testing was not conducted on other items recovered from the property, including a pair of small chainsaws found in the garage where prosecutors claim the dismemberment occurred. Lauren Wallace, another LAPD criminalist, testified that initial chemical tests showed no signs of blood on the saws, meaning the handles were not swabbed for touch DNA.

Background of the Case and Prosecution Timeline

Prosecutors assert that Burke initiated a sexual relationship with Rivas Hernandez when she was 13 years old and he was 18. According to court filings, the victim grew jealous of the singer’s relationships with other individuals and threatened to expose him the night before her death. Authorities state that Burke sent a vehicle to transport her to his residence on April 23, 2025, where she was stabbed upon arrival. Investigators recovered her remains months later from the front trunk of Burke’s Tesla after the vehicle was towed four and a half months after the incident. Burke’s debut full-length album, Withered, was released two days after prosecutors claim the killing took place. The preliminary hearing before the judge continues as prosecutors present further physical and forensic evidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What charges does D4vd face in the court proceedings?

Burke faces charges of murder, sexual abuse of a child, and mutilation of a body. He has entered a plea of not guilty.

How was the victim’s DNA identified in the garage?

LAPD criminalists used chemical tests to reveal stains—most of which were invisible to the naked eye—on a rubber floor mat, a rowing machine, and a Tesla charger, matching the samples to Rivas Hernandez with extreme statistical probability.

What is the defense’s argument regarding the forensic evidence?

Defense attorneys have questioned whether the collected DNA profiles definitively originated from blood rather than touch transfer, and have challenged investigators for not performing additional touch DNA testing on items such as chainsaws found at the scene.