American singer-songwriter D4vd is set to face trial after a Los Angeles judge ruled that prosecutors had presented enough evidence for the criminal case against him to move forward.
The 21-year-old artist, born David Anthony Burke, is facing several serious charges, including first-degree murder, child sexual abuse, and the unlawful mutilation of human remains. He has denied all the allegations and entered a plea of not guilty.
The decision followed a preliminary hearing held over several days in Los Angeles, during which prosecutors outlined their case surrounding the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
According to the prosecution, Burke allegedly began an illegal sexual relationship with the teenager when she was 13 years old. Investigators claim the relationship ended in tragedy after the victim allegedly threatened to reveal it publicly.
Prosecutors further allege that the teenager was killed in April 2025, shortly before the release of one of Burke's music projects. Her body was reportedly not discovered until months later, when authorities found decomposed human remains inside the front trunk of a Tesla registered in Burke's name.
Burke was arrested in April 2026 at his Los Angeles home following what authorities described as a months-long investigation involving the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, and a grand jury. Since his arrest, he has remained behind bars without bail.
During the court proceedings, Burke's legal team challenged the prosecution's claims, arguing that the teenager had misrepresented her age. Defence lawyers also told the court that members of the girl's family were aware of the relationship and cited travel documents and previous interactions between the family and the musician as part of their argument.
The defence further pointed to text messages they say the teenager sent before visiting Burke's home, claiming the messages are relevant to the case.
Despite those arguments, the judge ruled there was sufficient evidence for the matter to proceed to trial. The decision does not determine guilt or innocence but allows the criminal proceedings to continue before a jury.
Burke remains in custody as he awaits his next court appearance. If convicted of the most serious charges, he could face life imprisonment, with other penalties depending on the outcome of the trial.
The case continues to attract widespread attention due to the gravity of the allegations and D4vd's growing profile in the music industry. A trial date is expected to be confirmed during upcoming court proceedings.
