D4vd Had a Significant Amount of Child Sex Abuse Images in iCloud Account, Prosecutors Say

A pivotal preliminary hearing is set to commence for musician D4vd, born David Anthony Burke, as a judge will determine if sufficient evidence exists to advance the murder case against him to trial. The proceedings, scheduled to span three days starting July 21 in Los Angeles, follow the singer’s arrest three months prior. D4vd faces grave charges, including murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. These accusations stem from the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose decomposed and dismembered body was discovered in his vehicle in September. The preliminary hearing is not intended to establish guilt or innocence, but rather to ascertain if the prosecution has presented enough evidence to warrant a full trial. D4vd has maintained his plea of not guilty, with his legal team vehemently denying the allegations.

Background of the Case and Initial Arrest

The investigation into the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez began when her body was discovered in D4vd’s Tesla. The vehicle had been towed to a Los Angeles impound lot due to abandonment in the Hollywood Hills. A tow yard manager, alerted by a strong odor of decay and the presence of flies emanating from the car, contacted the Los Angeles Police Department on September 8. Responding detectives made the grim discovery of a dismembered body concealed within the vehicle. Subsequent identification by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Department on September 16 confirmed the remains belonged to Rivas Hernandez. The medical examiner later ruled her cause of death as "multiple penetrating injuries" and the manner of death as homicide.

Following the discovery, police executed a search warrant at D4vd’s residence on September 17. Concurrently, the singer canceled the remainder of his U.S. tour dates. D4vd was formally arrested on April 16, and charged four days later. His legal representatives, Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter, issued a statement in April asserting his innocence. "The actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death," the lawyers stated. "We will vigorously defend David’s innocence."

Prosecution’s Case: A Detailed Account of Alleged Events

In April, prosecutors submitted a comprehensive brief to the court, outlining the evidence they intend to present during the preliminary hearing. This document, made available by Courthouse News Service, details the alleged timeline of events and the nature of the relationship between D4vd and Rivas Hernandez.

According to the prosecution’s brief, D4vd, then 18, and Rivas Hernandez, who was 13, met in January 2022. Their relationship reportedly evolved into a sexual one in November 2023. Rivas Hernandez was reported missing in April 2024. Throughout the early part of 2024, prosecutors claim Rivas Hernandez spent a substantial amount of time with D4vd, including weekends at his Hollywood Hills home and travel to Las Vegas, London, and Texas to meet his family. Text messages exchanged between the two allegedly reference sexual activity, pregnancy, abortion, and the use of emergency contraception. The prosecution also asserts that explicit photographs exist, documenting and corroborating their sexual relationship.

The brief further states that D4vd and Rivas Hernandez ended their romantic relationship in November 2024. However, communications between them allegedly continued, with texts suggesting ongoing sexual relations. A significant turning point, according to the prosecution, occurred on April 22, 2025, when the pair reportedly engaged in a heated argument. Text messages purportedly reveal Rivas Hernandez’s jealousy over D4vd’s relationships with other women, stemming from his alleged promises of a future together. The prosecution claims she threatened to expose damaging information about their relationship to end his career and ruin his life.

Allegations of Murder and Mutilation

The prosecution contends that on April 23, 2025, D4vd arranged for an Uber to transport Rivas Hernandez from her home in Lake Elsinore to his Hollywood Hills residence. This date is identified as the probable date of her death. "Knowing he had to silence the victim before she ruined his music career as she had threatened," the brief states, "very soon after her arrival at his home, defendant stabbed the victim to death multiple times and stood while she bled out."

Following the alleged murder, prosecutors claim D4vd drove to Santa Barbara County to dispose of Rivas Hernandez’s belongings and destroy evidence. While D4vd allegedly texted Rivas Hernandez inquiring about her whereabouts on the evening of April 23 and the morning of April 24, prosecutors maintain she was already deceased, and these messages were part of a premeditated plan to conceal the murder.

The brief details further alleged actions taken by D4vd to conceal the crime. On April 24, 2025, under a pseudonym, he reportedly ordered a shovel. Subsequently, on May 1, 2025, he allegedly purchased two chainsaws, a body bag, heavy-duty laundry bags, and a blue inflatable pool. Prosecutors assert that D4vd made two additional trips to Santa Barbara County later in May and, on July 7, 2025, ordered a "burn cage" for the purpose of incinerating evidence.

The prosecution describes "horrifying measures" taken by D4vd to destroy and discard Rivas Hernandez’s body. It is alleged that he placed her body in the inflatable pool to contain blood before using a chainsaw and other tools to dismember her limbs. The brief specifically mentions the amputation of her left ring and pinky fingers, allegedly because her ring finger bore a tattoo of his name. These severed fingers have not been recovered. D4vd then purportedly placed her head and torso into the purchased cadaver bag and her limbs into a separate garbage bag, which was then placed in the front trunk of his vehicle, with the cadaver bag laid on top. Prosecutors allege the victim’s body remained in the Tesla, decomposing for weeks, or possibly months.

Discovery of the Body and Identification

Surveillance footage reportedly shows D4vd driving his vehicle on July 29, 2025, parking it on a street near his home before embarking on his tour, which commenced in Del Mar on August 5. The vehicle was towed in early September. The tow-yard manager’s discovery on September 8 led to the notification of the LAPD. Upon arrival, detectives found the dismembered body.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Department identified the remains as Celeste Rivas Hernandez on September 16. In a December death investigation summary, the medical examiner ruled her cause of death as "multiple penetrating injuries" and the manner of death as homicide.

D4vd’s Rise to Fame and Legal Background

David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, gained prominence through his music career, which began after initial attempts at online streaming. Born in Queens, New York, he later relocated to Houston, Texas. His musical journey began when, facing copyright issues with music used in his YouTube videos, he took his mother’s advice to create his own. Despite no prior musical experience beyond singing for enjoyment, he utilized a mobile application to produce music. Several of his songs gained viral traction on platforms like TikTok, propelling his career. He released his debut album, Withered, in April 2025 and subsequently embarked on a world tour.

The charges against D4vd are severe, including murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. The criminal complaint further includes special circumstance allegations of murder of a witness, murder for financial gain, and lying in wait. An additional special allegation notes the personal use of a deadly and dangerous weapon, specifically a sharp instrument, in the commission of the crime.

Broader Implications and Future Proceedings

The upcoming preliminary hearing is a critical juncture in the legal process. The judge’s determination will directly impact whether the case proceeds to a jury trial. The prosecution aims to demonstrate probable cause for each of the charges, presenting the detailed evidence collected, including digital communications, forensic findings, and witness testimonies. The defense, meanwhile, will seek to challenge the prosecution’s evidence and argue for insufficient grounds to proceed to trial.

The case has significant implications, not only for the individuals directly involved but also for public discourse surrounding issues of child exploitation, sexual abuse, and the legal ramifications for those accused. The outcome of this preliminary hearing will set the stage for potential future legal proceedings, with the prosecution seeking justice for Celeste Rivas Hernandez and her family, and the defense striving to protect the rights and innocence of their client. The prosecution’s brief highlights the disturbing details of the alleged crimes, painting a picture of premeditation and extreme violence. The existence of child sex abuse images within D4vd’s iCloud account, as alleged by prosecutors, adds a deeply concerning layer to the charges, underscoring the gravity of the case. The preliminary hearing will be closely watched by legal experts, fans of the artist, and the broader community.