WARNING: Readers may find details in this article distressing.
A preliminary hearing in the murder case against singer David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, has begun in Los Angeles, with prosecutors presenting graphic images of a 14-year-old girl's dismembered body. The harrowing evidence was shown to the court, including the victim's parents, who were present throughout the proceedings.
David Anthony Burke, 21, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering and sexually abusing Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Prosecutors allege that Burke stabbed Celeste and then dismembered her body with a chainsaw to conceal the killing, which they claim followed years of alleged sexual abuse. It is further alleged that Burke killed her to prevent her from revealing his relationship with a minor, which could have jeopardised his multi-million pound music career.
A homicide detective testified that Burke had purchased a body bag, chainsaws, an inflatable pool, and a shovel online in the days following Celeste's death. The court heard that Celeste's body was discovered in September 2025 inside the boot of a Tesla registered to Burke, located in a Hollywood tow yard. Detective Joshua Byers described finding decomposing human remains, including a torso and a head, along with severed limbs in a separate bag.
For Celeste's parents, the experience of seeing the evidence laid out in detail was an unimaginable ordeal. Their lawyer, Patrick Steinfeld, told the BBC that they were 'horrified', describing an image of Celeste's torso and head in the car boot as 'absolutely deplorable'. Despite being warned about the graphic nature of the images and offered the option to leave, Celeste's mother chose to remain in the courtroom to show support for her daughter, putting her head down and crying at points.
The small downtown Los Angeles courtroom was packed for the hearing, with journalists, social media creators, and members of the public vying for limited seats. Burke, wearing an orange jail uniform and shackled, remained chained to his chair during the testimony. The preliminary hearing is crucial as prosecutors aim to convince the judge that there is sufficient evidence to send the case to a full trial.