SINGER D4vd killed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez by stabbing her multiple times then dismembered her with a chainsaw, prosecutors have claimed.
He is accused of standing by while Celeste bled out, before cutting her body up with two chainsaws in an inflatable pool.
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D4vd allegedly killed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez to save his music career, according to authorities Credit: Getty
David Anthony Burke, whose stage name is D4vd, seen in court earlier this month Credit: AP
The musician, whose real name is David Burke, allegedly stabbed the teen to death because he feared his sexual crimes against her would ruin his career, according to prosecutors.
The LA County District Attorney’s Office said they would share proof of Burke’s alleged efforts to destroy Celeste’s body and get rid of evidence.
Lawyers claimed: “Knowing he had to silence the victim before she ruined his music career as she had threatened, very soon after her arrival at his home, the defendant stabbed the victim to death multiple times and stood by while she bled out.”
Burke has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges.
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Celeste Rivas Hernandez had been missing for several months when her remains were found in D4vd’s car trunk Credit: Family Handout
Burke, 21, allegedly murdered the 14-year-old then dismembered her with a chainsaw Credit: Reuters
Burke met Celeste when she was just 11 years old and began a sexual relationship with her when she was 13, court filings alleged.
The performer faces the death penalty if found guilty of luring Celeste Rivas Hernandez to his home in April 2025, where he allegedly murdered her with a sharp object, before mutilating her body two weeks later and dumping it in bags inside his Tesla.
Court filings revealed details of Celeste’s dismemberment for the first time.
Prosecutors alleged that Burke used two chainsaws he had bought online to cut up her body and hide it.
Celeste’s body was allegedly dismembered by two chainsaws in a paddling pool Credit: GoFundMe
Her body was allegedly mutilated after her murder Credit: AP
They said that the singer “took horrifying measures to destroy and discard the victim’s body”.
Prosecutors obtained text messages between Burke and Celeste on the night they think she was killed.
Court filings said: “The messages reveal the victim’s jealousy over defendant’s relationships with other women, as defendant led her to believe they had a future together.
“She became extremely upset and threatened to disclose damaging information about her relationship with defendant to end his career and destroy his life.”
Celeste’s dismembered corpse was not found until seven months later when workers at a Hollywood tow yard were alerted to a rotting smell coming from the trunk of the abandoned car.
D4vd was charged with first-degree murder four days after his arrest – and following a mostly secret investigation into the case using a grand jury.
Prosecutors claim Celeste’s DNA was found in Burke’s garage, where they allege the dismemberment took place.
They added that when the teen’s body was found, examiners couldn’t even determine her eye colour.
Lawyers said that two fingers and parts of her arms and legs were missing.
D4vd faces charges of murder of a witness, murder for financial gain, and lying in wait, according to the criminal complaint.
He is also charged with lewd and lascivious acts with a person under 14 and mutilating a body.
