American singer, D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, has been accused in a California court filing of purchasing multiple items online, including chainsaws, after prosecutors allege he stabbed a 14-year-old girl to death.
Authorities say the evidence outlines both his alleged motive and the steps he took to conceal the crime before Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s dismembered remains were later discovered in his vehicle.
Prosecutors claim Burke met Rivas Hernandez when she was 11 years old and that an illicit sexual relationship began when she was 13, while he was 18.
According to the filing, tensions escalated when the teenager allegedly threatened to expose their relationship and “destroy his life.”
Burke, who has pleaded not guilty, is described in court documents as having denied all allegations.
His legal team said they “will vigorously defend David’s innocence” and added they believe the “evidence will show that David did not kill Celeste”.
He appeared in court on Wednesday in an orange Los Angeles County jail jumpsuit and was shackled as attorneys debated whether the filing should be made public.
When asked by the judge if he was comfortable with his preliminary hearing being postponed to late May, he briefly responded, “yes, your honour”.
Prosecutors allege that Rivas Hernandez was stabbed multiple times at Burke’s home.
The filing further claims investigators traced online purchases made under a fake name in the days after the alleged killing, including two chainsaws, an inflatable blue pool, a body bag, a shovel, and a device described as a “burn cage”, which prosecutors say suggested plans to destroy evidence.
Authorities also detailed prior interactions and text exchanges between the two, including a dispute on 22 April 2025 over Burke’s relationships with other women.
Prosecutors say the teen texted threats to “disclose damaging information about her relationship with the defendant to end his career”.
They further allege Burke arranged for an Uber to bring Rivas Hernandez to his Hollywood Hills home on the day they believe she was killed.
Messages sent afterward, in which he asked where she was, are described by prosecutors as part of an attempt to mislead investigators and “cover up the murder”.
Rivas Hernandez was reported missing in 2024 by her family, and prosecutors say she was last seen at Burke’s residence on 3 April 2025.
Her body was discovered months later inside Burke’s Tesla in September 2025, after what investigators describe as an extended period of decomposition.
The filing also alleges surveillance footage placed Burke as the last person to drive the vehicle in which the remains were found.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Burke’s lawyers argued against releasing the detailed filing, warning it could affect his right to a fair trial.
Attorney Blair Berk told the court there was concern over “the amount and white hot focus and attention on this case for the last seven months and specifically in the last two weeks”.
Judge Charlaine Olmedo ultimately allowed the document to be released but ordered some additional evidence to remain sealed.
Burke, who gained popularity on TikTok with viral tracks such as Romantic Homicide and Here With Me, was on tour when the discovery of the remains triggered a major investigation. His tour was later cancelled as he withdrew from public life.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has since filed seven charges against him, including murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and mutilation of remains. A further court hearing is scheduled for next month.
Rivas Hernandez’s family has also publicly mourned her death, calling for justice and describing their deep love for the teenager.
