A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ruled on Monday that there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial against David Anthony Burke, known professionally as the singer D4vd, in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Burke faces charges of sexual abuse and murder related to the fatal stabbing of Hernandez on April 23, 2025.

According to court documents and testimony presented during a five-day preliminary hearing, prosecutors allege that Burke stabbed Hernandez twice and then used a chainsaw to dismember her body. The remains were reportedly concealed in the trunk of Burke’s Tesla vehicle, where they were discovered several months later.

Throughout the hearing, prosecutors introduced graphic crime scene photographs and offered a detailed portrait of the relationship between Burke and Hernandez, supported by hundreds of text messages exchanged between the two. These messages provided insight into the dynamics between the singer and the teenager in the weeks leading up to the killing.

Despite the extensive evidence presented, some aspects of the case remain unclear, including a definitive motive. Prosecutors have suggested that Burke killed Hernandez after she threatened to expose their relationship, although this theory has yet to be fully clarified. The preliminary hearing also revealed potential lines of defense that Burke’s attorneys may pursue at trial.

Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman previously submitted a nine-page court filing outlining the circumstances surrounding Hernandez’s death. The recent hearing expanded on those details, highlighting the complexity and tragic nature of the case.

With the judge’s ruling, the case against Burke will move forward to trial, where the prosecution and defense will further contest the evidence and narratives surrounding Hernandez’s death. No trial date has been announced.