6 Disturbing Takeaways From D4vd’s Preliminary Hearing

After a five-day preliminary hearing that began on July 20, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo ruled on July 27 that singer d4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, must stand trial for the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

The ruling came after prosecutors presented five days of testimony, forensic evidence, graphic photographs, and text messages. Judge Olmedo determined there was sufficient evidence to move the case to trial.

Prosecutors allege Burke murdered and dismembered Hernandez before her remains were discovered by LAPD investigators inside two separate bags in Burke’s impounded Tesla on Sept. 8, 2025.

d4vd final preliminary hearing: What happened?

According to the Associated Press, Judge Olmedo found probable cause to proceed on charges of first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and unlawful mutilation of human remains.

The judge held Burke to answer for first-degree murder with the special circumstances of lying in wait, committing the crime for financial gain, and murdering a witness to an investigation. He was also held to answer for the unlawful mutilation of Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s remains and for engaging in continuous lewd and lascivious acts with a 13-year-old.

Here are six major revelations from the preliminary hearing.