The once-bright career of alt-pop singer d4vd, real name David Anthony Burke, now stands in stark contrast to the devastating allegations against him in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Prosecutors in Los Angeles have released chilling court documents outlining what they describe as a years-long grooming relationship that ended in a brutal murder and calculated dismemberment inside the singer’s Hollywood Hills garage. Burke, 21, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder with special circumstances, continuous sexual abuse of a child, lewd acts with a minor under 14, and mutilation of human remains.

Celeste, from Lake Elsinore, California, first crossed paths with Burke when she was just 11 years old. According to prosecutors, the sexual abuse began in 2023 when she was 13 and he was 18. The pair allegedly took multiple trips together — to Las Vegas, London, Houston, and Texas — where Celeste met Burke’s family. Court filings describe explicit photos and messages recovered from Burke’s devices, painting a picture of ongoing exploitation.

On or around April 23, 2025, Celeste was last known to be alive. Prosecutors allege Burke arranged an Uber to bring her to his Hollywood Hills residence around 10:10 p.m. Shortly after her arrival, he allegedly stabbed her multiple times with a sharp instrument. Instead of seeking help, authorities claim he stood by and watched as she bled out on the garage floor. The motive, according to the filing, was clear: Celeste had threatened to expose their secret relationship, which could destroy his rapidly rising music career.

What prosecutors describe next is methodical and horrifying. In the days following the alleged killing, Burke reportedly used a fake name to purchase tools on Amazon: two chainsaws, a shovel, a body bag, an inflatable blue kiddie pool, and even a “burn cage.” Investigators believe he placed Celeste’s body inside the children’s pool to contain the massive blood loss and prevent evidence from spreading across the garage floor. He then allegedly used the chainsaws to dismember her — severing her head, arms, and legs. Forensic experts later found small blue plastic fragments from the pool embedded deep in her wounds.

Her left ring finger — which reportedly bore a tattoo of Burke’s name — and pinky finger were amputated, allegedly to remove identifying marks. Blood samples from the garage matched Celeste’s DNA. Her severely decomposed and dismembered remains were discovered on September 8, 2025, inside two black body bags in the front trunk (frunk) of Burke’s Tesla, which had been impounded after being abandoned. Surveillance footage allegedly shows Burke as the last person to drive the vehicle before he left for a concert tour.

Additional evidence includes Celeste’s U.S. passport card, later found discarded along a highway in Santa Barbara County — an area prosecutors say Burke visited multiple times after her death, including the night of the killing. Over 40 terabytes of digital evidence, including alleged child sexual abuse material, were reportedly recovered from his devices.

Burke was arrested on April 16, 2026, in a dramatic operation in the Hollywood Hills. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment. His defense attorneys maintain that the evidence will ultimately prove he did not cause Celeste’s death. However, the special circumstances attached to the murder charge — including lying in wait and murdering to prevent testimony — make him eligible for the death penalty.

Celeste’s family has spoken publicly about their profound grief and demand for justice. Friends remember her as a vibrant girl with big dreams, whose life was cut short far too early. The case has sent shockwaves through the music industry and sparked urgent conversations about celebrity accountability, online grooming of young fans, and the dangers vulnerable teenagers face when interacting with public figures.

As the preliminary hearing approaches, this case continues to unfold with devastating new details emerging almost daily. What began as a story of a rising star has become a stark reminder of how power, fame, and secrecy can allegedly lead to unimaginable tragedy. Celeste Rivas Hernandez was a 14-year-old girl who deserved protection, not exploitation. Her story demands answers, and the justice system will now determine whether David Burke is held accountable for the horrific acts prosecutors have described in graphic detail.