During a preliminary hearing on Wednesday, law enforcement officials provided testimony regarding forensic evidence collected at the former Hollywood Hills residence of musician David Anthony Burke, professionally known as D4vd. Gory details about a tarp, mats and an inflatable pool came to light during the hearing over the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was discovered last year in a car registered to the musician.
Criminalist Lauren Wallace of the Los Angeles Police Department testified that she discovered two chainsaws in the musician’s garage last September, though forensic testing for blood on those items returned negative results. However, Wallace noted that rubber mats covering the garage floor appeared to have bloodstains and contained linear cuts consistent with the use of a sharp object. Investigators also examined a green tarp and a crumpled inflatable pool, the latter of which was damaged and emitted an odor of fresh laundry. Officials reported that possible bloodstains, which were not visible to the naked eye, were detected on these items.
Chelsea Murillo, a criminalist with the LAPD’s forensic science division, testified about the examination of a 2023 black Tesla Model X in which Rivas Hernandez’s remains were found. Murillo stated that the vehicle was covered in dust, suggesting it had been left outdoors for a significant duration. Inside the car, she observed maggots and flies in the front trunk and noted a strong odor of decomposition, despite the presence of multiple air fresheners. Furthermore, possible traces of blood were identified in the third row of the vehicle. Defense attorney Blair Berk challenged these findings during cross-examination, emphasizing that the results were only presumptive and did not definitively prove the presence of blood.
Prosecutors allege that Burke murdered Rivas Hernandez to prevent her from disclosing the sexual nature of their relationship, which they claim threatened his career. Burke has pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, and the mutilation of human remains. His defense team maintains that he did not cause the victim's death. During the proceedings, prosecutors presented evidence regarding Burke's finances, noting that Interscope Records paid the singer and associated entities more than $7.2 million between 2022 and 2025. The label terminated his contract in December 2025.
The victim’s parents, Jesus Rivas and Mercedes Martinez, were present in the courtroom. They became emotional when prosecutors displayed a photograph of their daughter’s passport, which had been recovered in January 2026 by a Caltrans employee near State Route 154 in Santa Barbara. California highway patrol officer Sean Buenrostro testified that the employee contacted dispatch after searching the name online and discovering news reports related to the case. The hearing, which is expected to last three to five days, also featured earlier testimony regarding the singer’s alleged purchase of chainsaws, a body bag, and a shovel. Burke, 21, remains in custody without bail and faces potential life imprisonment or the death penalty if convicted.
Burke, now 21, was arrested in April and has been held in custody since then without bail. In court, he wore an orange jumpsuit and thick black glasses.
