New court documents in singer D4vd's trial reveal a detailed account of how Celeste Rivas Hernandez was killed and eventually dismembered over the course of weeks. (Trigger Warning!)
Two chainsaws, a body bag, and a shovel: these things don't even begin to describe the blood-curdling horror that unfolded in April 2025, when 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was killed. The teen, who was last reported missing in April 2024, was discovered in a decomposing state in September 2025 at the trunk of a black Tesla registered to David Anthony Burke, aka D4vd.
New court documents in D4vd's trial reveal a detailed account of how Celeste Rivas Hernandez was killed and eventually dismembered. Trigger Warning: It's not for the faint-hearted.
In a new court document obtained by The New Post, prosecutors painted a step-by-step picture of how things may have unfolded the night of the murder, and it's disturbing to say the least. Prosecutors allege that the Romantic Homicide singer carried out a calculated and cold-blooded murder in April 2025, followed by an elaborate attempt to conceal the crime.
Court filings say that Celeste was brought into the singer's house in Hollywood Hills on the night of April 23, 2025, as reported by The California Post. Investigators believe she was fatally attacked in the house itself, with her autopsy report later confirming she died from "multiple penetrating injuries". Prosecutors also claim that D4vd stood by as the teen bled to death from the stab wounds.
In the days following Celeste's death, prosecutors say a series of purchases were made, some using an alias, and the items are now a key part of the case. The documents state that David allegedly ordered a shovel from Home Depot the day after the incident, and that it was delivered to his home via Postmates. Roughly a week later, he purchased two chainsaws from Amazon.
Then, on May 5, 2025, David allegedly ordered some additional items, including a body bag, heavy-duty laundry bags, and a blue inflatable pool, which was possibly used to keep blood from spilling. Investigators found a match in the plastic fragments embedded in the victim's body with the pool. All of these purchases were reportedly made under the alias Victoria Mendez.
Evidence presented in court suggests that the accused attempted to dismantle the body and hide it inside his garage, as forensic teams also later discovered biological evidence from the property, reportedly matching Celeste's DNA. The documents said the team served a search warrant on the singer's Hollywood Hills home and:
"...discovered evidence consistent with the dismemberment of the victim’s body in the inflatable pool, which contained multiple linear cuts. Several biological samples, which tested positive for blood, were collected within the garage area."
The new documents also confirm that David amputated the victim's left ring finger because it contained a tattoo of his name, along with the pinky finger.
Prosecutors have outlined a troubling relationship between David and Celeste, with text messages cited in court documents suggesting that tensions escalated shortly before the teen's murder, especially the night before. While investigators believe a heated argument may have immediately triggered the killing, the full context is still being examined. The investigators noted:
"She [Celeste] became extremely upset and threatened to disclose damning information about her relationship with defendant [David] to end his career and destroy his life."
Based on family and friends' accounts, Celeste met David in 2022, and investigators allege that the two began a sexual relationship in November 2023, when Celeste was only 13, and David was 18. The teen's dismembered remains were discovered in a partially frozen and severely decomposed state in a Hollywood Hills tow yard on September 8, 2025, just a day after what would have been Celeste's 15th birthday.
D4vd, aka David Burke, is currently facing charges of first-degree murder, along with additional counts related to abuse of a minor and unlawful handling of human remains. Prosecutors argue that the crime may have been driven by a desire to protect his career. His legal team, however, has strongly denied the allegations, stating that the evidence will ultimately prove he was not responsible for Celeste’s death.
D4vd has pleaded not guilty to Celeste Rivas Hernandez's murder, and his trial is underway.
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