Prosecutors say court filings detail how pop singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Burke, sexually abused and murdered 14‑year‑old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
The filings allege the pair met when she was about 11 and that a sexual relationship began when she was 13. Prosecutors say Celeste became jealous that Burke was seeing other girls and threatened to reveal their relationship, and that Burke killed her “before she ruined his music career.”
According to the prosecution’s brief, Burke bought two chainsaws, stabbed the teen multiple times, dismembered her body with the chainsaws and used a pool during the attack to prevent blood from spilling onto the ground. Investigators say DNA evidence tied to Celeste was found in Burke’s garage.
Burke, 21, appeared in court wearing an orange jumpsuit; cameras were not allowed inside the hearing. He answered “yes” when a judge asked if he agreed to the scheduled May 26 preliminary hearing date, which had been set by the court.
CBS News Los Angeles reported the details from the prosecution’s brief and court appearances; the allegations are from court filings and have not been proven in court. Authorities have previously charged Burke in connection with Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s death.