LA prosecutors present graphic evidence in court at singer D4vd's preliminary hearing
Warning: This story contains content which some readers may find distressing
The preliminary hearing for D4vd, real name David Anthony Burke, got underway in a Los Angeles courtroom, with prosecutors presenting horrific photos of the decomposed remains of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
The singer is charged with murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
The prosecution alleges Burke had been in a relationship with Rivas when she was 13 and he was 18, and that he later killed her after she threatened to expose the relationship.
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He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
On Tuesday (21 July) a preliminary hearing began, where prosecutors will lay out the evidence they’ve gathered and a judge will make a decision on whether it is strong enough to bring the case to trial.
During the first day of the hearing, Los Angeles Police Department detective Joshua Byers testified about finding the teen’s remains in the front trunk of a Tesla that was registered to Burke on 8 September 2025.
He told the court: “I was expected to find a body in a trunk.
“My information was gathered when I arrived on scene.”
Inside the trunk, officers found a black vinyl bag that was partially unzipped alongside a garbage bag.
The court was shown gruesome images from the scene, with severed limbs, torso and head.
Byers recalled: “[The] trunk was open and there was a partially unzipped body bag with torso and head. Missing extremities at the time.”
He told the court that Rivas was ‘unrecognisable’.
Byers also testified that Riva’s father had contacted the police a few days after the body was found after seeing news reports and fearing that it could be his daughter.
Riva’s heartbroken parents Jesus Rivas and Mercedes Martinez were at the hearing alongside reporters and members of the public.
After the graphic images were shown in court, deputy district attorney Beth Silverman - the lead prosecutor - checked in with Rivas' family during a break.
The hearing is expected to last around four days and works like a mini version of a trial.
As well as the prosecution presenting their evidence, Burke’s legal team will get the chance to defend their client and question witnesses.
In a statement earlier this year, Burke’s legal representative said he is innocent.
They said: "Let us be clear - the actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death."
They added: "We will vigorously defend David’s innocence."
If convicted, Burke may face the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez family paid tribute to 'beautiful strong girl'
After Burke’s arrest was announced in April, Celeste’s parents released a heartfelt tribute.
They wrote: “Celeste was a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance. Every Friday night was movie night and we spent wonderful times together.
“We love her very much and she always told us that she loved us. We miss her deeply.
"All we want is justice for Celeste.”
Claire Reid