A Los Angeles judge ruled Monday, July 27, that there is enough evidence for singer D4vd's murder case to proceed to trial, following a five-day preliminary hearing in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, has pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder, sexual abuse of a child, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. The judge ordered that trial must begin within 90 days. Burke is due back in court for arraignment on August 31.
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman confirmed after the hearing that Burke is eligible for the death penalty, and that prosecutors are still weighing whether to pursue it.
The preliminary hearing, which concluded July 27, featured five days of testimony from investigators and forensic experts as prosecutors laid out the evidence supporting the charges. The case drew national attention both for D4vd's public profile - he had performed at major events including Coachella - and for the age of the victim.
Rivas Hernandez's body was found inside a car registered to D4vd in September 2025. The case remains active as it moves toward trial, and the Rivas family continues to await further proceedings in the months ahead.
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