US Singer D4vd Ordered to Stand Trial Over Murder of 14-Year-Old Girl

American singer D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, has been ordered to stand trial over allegations that he murdered and dismembered a 14-year-old girl who prosecutors claim threatened to expose their illegal sexual relationship.

The ruling was delivered on Monday by Judge Charlaine Olmedo, who said prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence during a five-day preliminary hearing for the case to proceed to trial. Among the evidence were text messages allegedly sent by the victim, Celeste Rivas Hernandez, before her death.

Prosecutors allege that Burke, 21, began a sexual relationship with Hernandez when she was 13 and he was 18. They claim the teenager became upset over another woman and threatened to reveal their relationship shortly before his debut album was released in April 2025.

One of the messages presented in court allegedly warned that she would “end” Burke’s career and life. Prosecutors argued that the singer later paid for an Uber to bring Hernandez to his home, where she was allegedly stabbed to death.

Investigators also told the court that Amazon purchase records showed Burke bought chainsaws, an inflatable pool and a portable incinerator, which prosecutors believe were intended to help dispose of the body. However, they alleged the incinerator was too small for that purpose.

Hernandez’s decomposing body was eventually discovered in September 2025 inside the trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke after the vehicle was towed to a Hollywood impound lot.

Burke has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment or the death penalty.

During the hearing, prosecutors also alleged that Hernandez became pregnant during the relationship and later had an abortion. Her family, they said, had previously signed written consent allowing her to travel to London with Burke in September 2024. Although the pair reportedly ended their relationship in November 2024, they allegedly remained in contact.

The defence argued there was no evidence of a deliberate intention to kill, claiming Hernandez had exhibited violent behaviour, suffered from bipolar disorder and had expressed suicidal thoughts. Defence lawyer Blair Berk insisted the evidence did not support a planned murder.

Lead prosecutor Beth Silverman rejected that argument, telling the court there was “nothing in this case that sounds like an accident” and accusing the defence of attempting to shift blame onto the victim. Patrick Steinfeld, an attorney representing Hernandez’s family, described the defence’s approach as “abhorrent,” saying it was wrong to blame a child.

A further court hearing to determine the trial schedule is expected on Friday.