Prosecutors Allege D4vd Stabbed and Dismembered Teen
Court filing says David Anthony Burke stabbed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, dismembered her with chainsaws and bought tools to destroy evidence.
Los Angeles TimesD4vd dismembered teen girl with chainsaw and tried to cover his tracks, prosecutors allege
BBC NewsUS singer D4vd bought tools online to dispose of girl's body, prosecutors say
CBS NewsD4vd killed Celeste Rivas Hernandez to silence her "before she ruined his music career," prosecutors allege
The GuardianProsecutors release detailed description of how D4vd allegedly killed teen girl
Overview
A court filing made public on Wednesday alleges that David Anthony Burke stabbed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez to death and dismembered her with chainsaws.
Prosecutors said text messages on April 22, 2025 show Hernandez threatened to expose their relationship and they contend she was killed the following day.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman filed seven criminal charges against Burke, including murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child and mutilation of remains, court records show.
Prosecutors allege Burke bought two chainsaws, an inflatable pool, a body bag, a shovel and a burn cage under a fake name and investigators executed 54 search warrants.
A judge set a preliminary hearing for May 26 and Burke is due back in court on May 1 for a status hearing.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources foreground prosecutors' allegations—emphasizing purchases like "chainsaws," "body bag" and descriptions of "dismembered remains"—and vivid scene-setting (orange jail jumpsuit, shackles, Tesla where the body was found). Defense statements appear mainly as brief rebuttals, making the collective editorial posture prosecutorial and sensational rather than neutral.