The preliminary hearing for accused child murderer David Anthony Burke, the 21-year-old singer known as D4vd, erupted into horrifying focus today as prosecutors presented previously unseen crime scene photographs showing the dismembered remains of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez — with the defendant sitting motionless, staring at the images without visible emotion.
The first day of the multi-day hearing in Los Angeles drew a media circus outside the courthouse, with cameras and reporters jostling for position. Inside, the victim’s parents sat just three rows in front of the witness stand, huddling together as the prosecution methodically laid out the evidence they say proves Burke killed Celeste to silence her, then mutilated her body.
NBC LA reporter Julia Deng, who was inside the courtroom as the sole journalist with a seat, described the scene as “hectic” and “chilling.” The victim’s mother and father bowed their heads repeatedly, and at one point a staffer from the district attorney’s office put her arm around the mother as graphic images were projected onto a screen.
The most jarring moment came when prosecutors displayed side-by-side photographs of Celeste’s hands. Her left hand was missing two fingers — the ring and pinky. Her right hand had a tattoo reading “Sh” on the index finger, which appeared slightly bent.
At that image, Deng noted, Burke “leaned in” and continued staring, but otherwise showed no reaction.
“During all of this, David was just sitting there staring at the screen, staring at these photos, blinking. There was no reaction. No visible reaction on the defendant’s face,” Deng reported on Law&Crime’s “Sidebar” program.
The courtroom fell silent when the prosecution showed a head and torso inside an unzipped cadaver bag in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke, along with arms and legs chopped up in a second black garbage bag with blue handles. The sounds of typing and shuffling stopped abruptly as the images flashed on screen.
Outside the courtroom, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hawkman held a brief press conference, confirming that prosecutors have not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty. Burke faces three felony charges: first-degree murder with special circumstances, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. He has pleaded not guilty.
“David will be facing a maximum punishment of life without the possibility of parole or he is also death penalty eligible,” Hawkman said. “The decision on whether or not to seek the death penalty has not been made at this point.”
Hawkman explained the purpose of the preliminary hearing, which is to determine whether there is probable cause for the case to proceed to trial — a lower standard than beyond a reasonable doubt. He estimated the hearing would last three to five days, with more than ten witnesses, including officers, coroners, and individual testimony.
The prosecution began its presentation not with the crime scene but with the events of 2024, when police first contacted Burke about Celeste’s disappearance. Body camera footage played in court showed Burke letting deputies into his Hollywood Hills home, laughing and joking while eating chips. He told them Celeste had said she was 18; they informed him she was actually 13.
Deputy Senior Deputy Juan Gonzalez testified that Burke was “very cooperative” during the welfare check, even offering the officers alcohol from his fridge. But prosecutors argue Burke was not honest about the nature of his relationship with Celeste or the last time he saw her.
Detective Joshua Buyers from LAPD’s robbery-homicide division took the stand and described arriving at the Tesla, where he found two cadaver bags. He testified that decomposition was so advanced that facial features could not be identified; dental records were needed to positively identify the victim. He also described recovering multiple devices from Burke’s rental property, including an unopened burn box — a mini crematorium used to incinerate items.
“There was so much decomposition, there was so much skin footage they couldn’t identify any facial features,” Deng relayed.
Buyers also detailed United Airlines records showing flights purchased by Burke for himself and Celeste from Los Angeles to Texas and London — evidence prosecutors say supports allegations of a continuous sexual relationship that began when Celeste was 13.
During a break, Deng encountered the victim’s mother in the restroom. “Her eyes were red and there really are no words,” she said. “At the end of the day, all of this coverage surrounding David — it’s all about Celeste.
It’s about justice for this victim.”
The hearing is scheduled to resume later this week, with the defense expected to cross-examine witnesses and challenge the prosecution’s evidence. Burke appeared in court wearing a suit and was not shackled, though the judge initially addressed the issue of restraints. He spoke only to say “Yes, your honor” when the judge reviewed the rules.
Observers noted that throughout the morning, Burke appeared “bored,” resting his face in his hands during testimony and showing little reaction to the devastating details. The defense has signaled it will focus on the fact that Burke was cooperative with police and believed Celeste was 18.
Prosecutors, however, maintain that Burke killed Celeste to prevent her from revealing their relationship and then attempted to cover up the crime by dismembering her body. They said they will present evidence to meet the probable cause standard and move the case to trial.
As the lunch break ended, reporters rushed back inside. The media presence outside the courthouse remained intense, with satellite trucks and camera crews lining the street. The victim’s family, who have requested privacy, continue to attend every session.
This case has drawn national attention because of Burke’s rising music career and the shocking nature of the allegations. The preliminary hearing is expected to provide the most comprehensive public look at the evidence against him before any potential trial.
For now, the judge will decide whether the case moves forward. The next days are likely to bring more grim testimony, more photographs, and more details about the final days of Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
