D4vd murder case: Prosecutors reveal alleged motive before July hearing

Singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, is facing serious criminal charges in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. According to prosecutors in Los Angeles County, Burke is accused of killing the California teenager after she allegedly threatened to reveal what they describe as an ongoing sexual relationship. Prosecutors say the relationship began when Celeste was 13. Burke has pleaded not guilty to every charge, and his lawyers have denied the allegations. The case is still ongoing, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 21, 2026. The latest claims were highlighted in a report by Dexerto and are based on court filings and statements from the Los Angeles County District Attorney.Prosecutors detail allegations against D4vd in court filingsAccording to the Los Angeles County District Attorney, prosecutors allege Burke arranged for Celeste to travel to his rented Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025. Court documents say she arrived that evening before she was allegedly killed. Prosecutors claim the motive was to stop her from exposing their alleged relationship, which they say could have damaged Burke’s growing music career.The court filings also describe several actions investigators believe were taken after Celeste disappeared. Prosecutors say evidence includes text messages, Uber records and other digital information. They also allege investigators recovered additional physical evidence during the investigation. These claims have been reported by ABC News, BBC News and other outlets covering the case.Burke has not admitted to any wrongdoing. His legal team has said the evidence will show that he did not commit the crimes and that they will continue to defend him in court.D4vd pleads not guilty as criminal case moves toward July hearingBurke has been charged with first-degree murder along with several other offenses. Prosecutors have also filed special circumstance allegations that could lead to a much harsher sentence if he is convicted. However, those allegations remain unproven, and the court has not reached any findings.The defense has entered a not guilty plea on Burke’s behalf and has challenged the prosecution’s case. The preliminary hearing, currently set for July 21, 2026, is expected to determine whether prosecutors have enough evidence for the case to move forward to trial.The investigation has drawn national attention because of the allegations, Burke’s public profile and the age of the alleged victim. Even so, the criminal case is still working its way through the court system. The allegations outlined by prosecutors have not been proven in court, and Burke is presumed innocent unless and until a jury finds him guilty.Catch the latest world news and top headlines. Download the TOI App.