D4vd case explained: The latest updates and allegations one year after Celeste’s body was found

It has now been a year since the body of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was discovered in the Tesla registered to D4vd’s address.

TED SOQUI/POOL/EPA/Shutterstock

The case against the singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, has continued to develop in the months since, with prosecutors laying out disturbing new allegations during a preliminary hearing and Burke’s high-profile defence team later walking away from the case.

Here’s everything that has happened in the case so far.

Celeste’s body was discovered in September 2025

Celeste’s dismembered body was found in the front trunk of a Tesla on 8 September 2025. The car was registered to Burke’s address and had reportedly been left on a street near his home before being towed to a Los Angeles tow yard.

Court documents say Celeste was last seen on 23 April 2025. Prosecutors allege that she went to Burke’s home that day, where he stabbed her several times and mortally wounded her.

They claim Burke then severed her limbs in an attempt to prevent Celeste from exposing their sexual relationship.

 

 

 

 

 

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Prosecutors allege their relationship began when Celeste was 13

One of the central allegations in the case concerns the relationship between Burke and Celeste. Prosecutors allege that Burke met Celeste when she was 11 and began sexually abusing her when she was 13, while he was 18.

Celeste’s parents have separately alleged in a civil lawsuit that the pair first met in November 2023, when Celeste was 13. The lawsuit claims they went on to exchange almost 10,000 texts over around 16 months and had sex several times.

The parents allege Burke was an adult “who occupied a position of authority over decedent, a minor, and was able to and did exercise undue influence and control over her”. They also allege that Celeste threatened to expose their relationship shortly before her death, allegedly sending Burke a message which said: “I will end ur career and ur life”.

Via GoFundMe

Prosecutors revealed claims about a pregnancy

New details also emerged during a preliminary hearing in July.

Prosecutors said that, around a year before Celeste’s death, she and Burke exchanged messages about her becoming pregnant. According to the allegations presented at the hearing, Celeste told Burke that the baby was his before having an abortion.

Photos were also submitted during the hearing which prosecutors said showed Celeste and Burke kissing and lying in bed. One image showed that Celeste had the name “David” tattooed in red ink on one of her fingers.

That became particularly significant because one of the two fingers bearing the tattoo had been severed when her body was found.

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Burke’s defence has disputed the murder allegations

 

 

 

 

 

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Burke’s defence has argued that there is no evidence he intended to kill Celeste. His lawyers also argued that there were no witnesses or cameras showing Celeste entering his house during the timeframe in which prosecutors allege she was killed.

Burke has maintained his not-guilty pleas. He was arrested in April 2026 and charged with several offences, including first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with an individual under 14, and mutilating a body.

The first-degree murder charge is the most serious and carries the potential for the death penalty.

His celebrity defence lawyers have now left the case

Burke’s legal representation has undergone a major change. His high-profile lawyers Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter all withdrew from the case in late August. No reason was given for their departure.

They have since been replaced by a lawyer from the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office. He is due back in court on 19th October, while his trial has now been moved to next year.

Celeste’s parents have now filed a civil lawsuit

Via GoFundMe

As the one-year anniversary of Celeste’s death approached, her parents also launched a separate civil case against Burke. Mercedes Martinez and Jesus Rivas are seeking monetary damages, including burial and funeral expenses.

They allege wrongful death, false imprisonment and childhood sexual assault. They also claim that other people “enabled Burke to isolate” Celeste and helped facilitate his travel, housing and security.

Her family is now calling for the death penalty

The latest development came on what would have been Celeste’s 16th birthday. In a statement released through their attorney on Monday, her parents called for Burke to be executed if he is convicted.

They said: “If the death penalty were activated, it would be perfect for this kind of human being, devoid of feelings and emptiness inside, and without conscience, who only caused pain to our daughter, our family, and the world that supports our precious daughter,”

The family also said they were “reliving unforgettable moments even though she is no longer here” and “experiencing so many emotions”.

For now, Burke remains in custody awaiting his next court appearance, with the trial expected to take place next year.

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Featured image via TED SOQUI/POOL/EPA/Shutterstock