In a case that has shocked the music world and horrified the public, prosecutors have laid out chilling new details in the murder case against rising alt-pop singer d4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke. The 21-year-old artist stands accused of grooming, sexually abusing, and ultimately killing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez before dismembering her body in a gruesome attempt to hide the crime. Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including first-degree murder with special circumstances, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and mutilation of human remains.

Celeste Rivas Hernandez was a 14-year-old girl from Lake Elsinore, California, when she disappeared. Prosecutors allege Burke first met her when she was just 11 years old. The alleged sexual abuse began when she was 13 and he was 18. Court documents describe a pattern of grooming that included trips to Las Vegas, London, and Texas, explicit messages, and photographs found on Burke’s devices showing the underage victim in sexual situations.

The fatal night allegedly unfolded on April 23, 2025. Prosecutors claim Burke sent an Uber to pick Celeste up from her home and bring her to his Hollywood Hills residence. She arrived around 10:10 p.m. Shortly after, according to the filing, Burke stabbed her multiple times. Instead of calling for help, he allegedly stood by and watched as she bled out in his garage. The motive, prosecutors say, was to silence her — Celeste had threatened to expose their relationship, which could destroy his burgeoning music career.

What followed is described as calculated and horrific. In the days and weeks after the alleged murder, Burke reportedly purchased tools under a false name via Amazon: two chainsaws, a shovel, a body bag, an inflatable kiddie pool, and a “burn cage.” Investigators believe he placed Celeste’s body inside the blue inflatable pool to contain the blood and prevent it from spilling onto the garage floor. He then allegedly used the chainsaws to dismember her — cutting off her head and limbs. Small blue plastic fragments matching the pool were later found embedded in her remains.

Forensic evidence strengthens the case. Blood stains recovered from Burke’s garage tested positive for Celeste’s DNA. Her severely decomposed and dismembered remains were discovered on September 8, 2025, in the front trunk (frunk) of Burke’s Tesla, which had been impounded in the Hollywood Hills. Surveillance footage allegedly shows Burke as the last person to drive the vehicle before he left for a concert tour. Additionally, Celeste’s U.S. passport card was later found discarded along a highway in Santa Barbara County, an area prosecutors say Burke visited multiple times after the killing.

One particularly disturbing detail: Celeste’s left ring finger, which reportedly had a tattoo of Burke’s name, was amputated — allegedly to distance himself from the victim. Her death certificate notes the cause as multiple penetrating injuries, and there is ongoing uncertainty about whether she was pregnant at the time.

Burke was arrested in April 2026, seven months after the grim discovery in his car. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment. His defense team maintains that the evidence will ultimately show he did not murder Celeste. However, prosecutors have described the case as involving over 40 terabytes of evidence, including child sexual abuse material found on his devices.

The tragedy has devastated Celeste’s family, who have spoken publicly about their heartbreak and desire for justice. Friends and community members in Lake Elsinore created makeshift memorials with flowers, candles, and stuffed animals. The case has also sparked broader conversations about celebrity accountability, online grooming, and the protection of young fans in the music industry.

As the legal proceedings move forward, with the possibility of the death penalty due to special circumstances such as lying in wait and murdering a witness, the focus remains on the young life cut tragically short. Celeste Rivas Hernandez was a teenager with dreams ahead of her, allegedly silenced by the very person she may have trusted. Burke’s music career, once on the rise with hits including a Fortnite anthem, now stands overshadowed by these grave allegations.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers that can lurk behind public personas and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable youth. The full weight of the judicial system will now determine the truth behind one of the most disturbing true crime stories of recent years.