L.A. detective testifies D4vd used alias to order body bags, shovel, and chain saw

LOS ANGELES (TCN) -- A preliminary hearing is underway to determine if there is enough evidence for David Burke, known professionally as D4vd, to go to trial on murder and other charges. 

On April 20, the Los Angeles County District Attorney announced the 21-year-old singer was charged with murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains in connection with the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

In a press release, District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said, “Celeste was just a child, under 14 years old, when David Burke allegedly engaged in repeated lewd and lascivious sexual relations with her. … But Burke’s actions did not allegedly stop there. When she threatened to expose his criminal conduct and devastate his musical career, Burke allegedly murdered her, cut up her body, and stuffed her body in two bags that were placed in the front trunk of his car.”

He continued, “There the dismembered body sat for over four months decomposing until it was found at a tow yard on Sept. 8, 2025. This horrific and gruesome murder committed by the charged sexual predator is shocking and appalling. To Celeste’s loved ones, we will get the justice you seek and deserve.”

Burke pleaded not guilty to the charges and his lawyers have denied he caused the girl’s death, The Associated Press reports. He has been held without bail and was ordered to be shackled to his chair during the preliminary hearing.

At the hearing, homicide detective Joshua Byers testified that Burke went online to buy a chain saw, body bags, inflatable pool, and shovel soon after Rivas Hernandez’s death and used an alias when making the purchase. Byers said Burke used his own credit card and had the items delivered to his home, and the items in question were found when a search warrant was executed there. In addition, he testified that the body bag ordered matched the one in which Rivas Hernandez was found decomposed last September, according to the AP. 

Prosecutors also showed photos of Rivas Hernandez’s dismembered body during the hearing. Byers testified that the body was too decomposed to be removed from the bag, so the bag was unable to be taken into evidence, per the AP. Photos of Rivas Hernandez’s body also showed small blue pieces from the inflatable pool, prosecutors allege. According to the BBC, the photos had previously been described in court documents but were shown for the first time at the preliminary hearing.

The lawyer for Rivas Hernandez’s family, Patrick Steinfeld, told the BBC, “This is the first time they’ve heard this evidence in detail, and they’re horrified. … There was an image of Celeste’s torso and her head in the trunk of the car, and the prosecutor had to ask what it was because you could not tell it was a head. It was absolutely deplorable. … They’re at a loss for words and they’re just trying to do the best they can.”

Rivas Hernandez was reported missing in February 2024. Bodycam footage of deputies speaking to Burke about Rivas Hernandez that month was played at the hearing, the AP reports. In the video, Burke said he believed Rivas Hernandez was 18 years old and he allowed authorities to search his home. 

The preliminary hearing is expected to take four days total, according to the AP. 

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