Stabbed, dismembered, disposed: Gruesome allegations detail how D4vd killed Celeste Rivas

US prosecutors have laid out a series of allegations detailing how singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Burke, is accused of killing, dismembering and concealing the body of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The claims, which have not been tested in court, describe a sequence of events spanning months in 2023 and 2024, culminating in the discovery of the teenager’s remains inside a Tesla registered to the musician.

Burke has pleaded not guilty to charges including murder, lewd acts with a minor and mutilation of human remains. His lawyers have said he did not cause her death. Authorities allege Rivas was killed in April 2024 after what investigators describe as an inappropriate relationship with the then 13-year-old. Prosecutors say they believe Burke stabbed Rivas Hernandez to death “on or about” April 23

Alleged relationship and repeated contact

According to prosecutors, Burke first came into contact with Rivas when she was 11. They allege the pair later began a relationship in November 2023, when she was 13 and he was 18.

Investigators say Rivas, described in court documents as a runaway, was reported missing multiple times from her home in Lake Elsinore, California. During one earlier disappearance, authorities say law enforcement contacted Burke, who claimed he did not know she was a minor.

Prosecutors also allege that after she was returned home by her family. They allege that Burke paid $1,000 to a junior high classmate of Rivas Hernandez to give her a phone so he could keep in contact with her.

They further claim the teenager travelled with Burke to locations including Las Vegas, London and Texas in the months before her death.

Night of the alleged killing in Hollywood Hills

Prosecutors say Rivas was last seen alive on or about 23 April 2024, when Burke sent a rideshare car to pick up Rivas Hernandez from her Lake Elsinore home and drop her off at his Hollywood Hills home at around 10:10 pm that night.

Prosecutors allege Burke sent text messages beginning at 10:30 pm asking Rivas Hernandez where she was to conceal that he had killed her. At 11:30 pm, he texted Rivas Hernandez's cell again asking where she was and drove away from his home to a remote area of Santa Barbara County.

Authorities allege Burke killed Rivas inside his home. The motive, according to prosecutors, was that she threatened to expose their relationship, which they say could have damaged his career.

“The messages reveal the victim’s jealousy over defendant’s relationships with other women, as defendant led her to believe they had a future together,” prosecutors said in a document outlining evidence in the case.

Investigators also cited communications suggesting conflict between the pair. In a separate statement quoted in filings, officials said, “She became extremely upset and threatened to disclose damning information about her relationship with defendant to end his career and destroy his life,” investigators noted.

Allegations of disposal: shovel, chainsaws and inflatable pool

Prosecutors allege Burke took steps over the following days and weeks to dispose of Rivas’ body and conceal evidence.

They claim he ordered a shovel through a delivery service shortly after the alleged killing, followed by the purchase of two chainsaws delivered to his home under a false name. Days later, he allegedly ordered body bags and heavy-duty cleaning materials.

Investigators say he also obtained an inflatable pool, which they believe was used inside his garage during the dismemberment of the body. Court filings allege the remains were cut up and placed into bags before being stored.

Burke is also accused of amputating parts of the victim’s fingers, including those allegedly linked to a tattoo referencing him. Those remains have not been recovered, according to prosecutors.

Authorities say DNA evidence later found in the garage area tested positive for Rivas’ blood and matched her genetic profile.

Discovery of remains and police investigation

The case came to light in September 2025, when police executed a search warrant at Burke’s home. Investigators reported finding biological evidence consistent with dismemberment activity in the garage, including cut marks on an inflatable pool.

Prosecutors allege Rivas’ body was eventually placed in bags and stored in the front trunk of Burke’s Tesla. The vehicle had reportedly been abandoned in the Hollywood Hills before being towed.

Inside the car, authorities say they found decomposed human remains in body bags, including the teenager’s head, torso, arms and legs separated into different containers.

Investigators also recovered additional DNA evidence linking the scene to Rivas, according to court filings.

Authorities say Burke later returned multiple times to a remote area of Santa Barbara County, where further evidence, including Rivas’ passport, was allegedly recovered.

Career background and arrest

Burke rose to prominence as a musician after gaining attention on TikTok with the track ‘Romantic Homicide’, which charted on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs list. He later signed with Interscope Records.

In interviews, he described a recurring artistic alter ego. “He's basically like the evil version of me," Burke said in a YouTube interview with the “Tape Notes” podcast published May 2025.

He released his debut album ‘Withered’ and continued touring until his arrest. Prosecutors say his performances and public appearances continued even as the investigation developed.

Authorities arrested Burke in 2025 on suspicion of murder. He was held without bail and later formally charged.

Charges and ongoing proceedings

Burke faces multiple felony charges, including murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. Prosecutors also allege aggravating factors, including that he was “lying in wait” and acted to prevent exposure of the relationship.

He has pleaded not guilty. His legal team maintains he is not responsible for Rivas’ death. The charging documents also allege several factors connected to the crimes that could lead to a harsher sentence if Burke is convicted.

A court order has placed a hold on the release of the coroner’s report, meaning the official cause and manner of death remain undisclosed. The grand jury proceedings remain sealed as the case continues through the US legal system.

(With inputs from AP)