Preliminary hearing set for singer D4vd in killing of Celeste Rivas Hernandez

Key Points:

• The preliminary hearing for singer D4vd (David Burke), accused of murdering teenage girl Celeste Rivas Hernandez, is scheduled to begin Tuesday and last three to seven days, during which prosecutors will present evidence to determine if the case proceeds to trial.
• Prosecutors allege Burke and Rivas Hernandez had a secret sexual relationship and that she threatened to expose it, potentially damaging his career; Celeste was last seen alive on April 23, 2025, when she was brought to Burke's Hollywood Hills home by Uber.
• Evidence includes surveillance footage showing Burke as the last person to drive his Tesla, text messages referencing sex and pregnancy, and purchases of chainsaws, a body bag, and other items allegedly used to dismember and conceal the victim's remains.
• Burke has pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder, sexual abuse of a child, and unlawful mutilation of human remains, while prosecutors have not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty.
• Legal experts say the prosecution's publicly known evidence appears strong, with several law enforcement witnesses expected to testify, making it a challenging case for the defense to overcome.