By FRED SHUSTER
An iPhone owned by singer D4vd, who is charged with killing a 14-year-old Lake Elsinore girl whose dismembered body was found in the trunk of his Tesla at a Hollywood tow yard, contained “a significant amount of child pornography,” a prosecutor told a judge on Thursday, April 23, as attorneys agreed to convene again next week to determine how quickly a hearing can be held to determine if the case can proceed to trial.
The 21-year-old D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, is charged with capital murder in the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were found Sept. 8, 2025, in the front trunk of the Tesla registered to the singer. The body was decomposed and dismembered.
D4vd — pronounced “David” — was charged Monday, April 20, with murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under age 14 and mutilation of human remains. He remained jailed without bail, and could face a death sentence if convicted, although prosecutors have not yet decided if they will seek capital punishment.
Through his attorneys, D4vd pleaded not guilty.
In court on Thursday, April 23, prosecutors and defense attorneys discussed next steps in the case, with a status conference scheduled for next Wednesday afternoon, when the parties are expected to determine how quickly they can proceed with a preliminary hearing, which will determine if there is enough evidence for D4vd to stand trial.
Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman told Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo the prosecution is “anxious” to being the preliminary hearing, noting it has “been one year since Celeste’s death.” Prosecutors have said they believe Celeste was killed by D4vd in a Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025.
Silverman noted, however, that there is a voluminous amount of evidence in the case. She said three grand juries had been hearing evidence in the investigation, and evidence included police reports, body-worn-camera video, forensic reports and the medical examiner’s autopsy.
She also said during the hearing, without elaborating on the content, that D4vd’s iPhone contained “a significant amount of child pornography.”
Olmedo tentatively scheduled a preliminary hearing to begin next Friday, May 1. After that hearing, the judge will determine if there is enough evidence to warrant a trial.
D4vd, appearing in court Thursday in orange jail clothes, did not speak during the hearing.
On Wednesday, the county Medical Examiner’s Office released the long-sealed autopsy report on Celeste’s death. The examination concluded that the teen died of “multiple penetrating injuries” with an object or objects.
Celeste’s body was found just days after what would have been her 15th birthday.
Patrick Steinfeld, an attorney for Celeste’s parents Jesus Rivas and Mercedes Martinez, released a statement Wednesday, April 22, in response to the autopsy report.
“The Rivas Hernandez family is absolutely devastated by the findings contained in the Medical Examiner’s Report involving the horrible and gruesome death of their beloved daughter,” Steinfeld said. “These findings have caused profound emotional pain for the family. They respectfully ask for privacy, understanding, and patience as they process this information. … The Rivas Hernandez family sincerely appreciates the community’s support and concern.”
D4vd was arrested last Thursday afternoon, April 16, by Los Angeles police officers. His attorneys issued a statement last week denying the singer killed Celeste.
Celeste was reported missing by her mother in 2024, when the girl was just 13. Her mother previously told reporters her daughter had a boyfriend named David. D4vd has a tattoo on one finger matching the one reading “Shhh” that the medical examiner revealed previously was on Rivas’ index finger.
The Tesla in which her body was found had been abandoned near a home in the 1300 block of Doheny Place, not far from a home D4vd had rented.