D4VD To Stand Trial In Murder Case Amid Defense's Attempt To Blame Celeste Rivas For Her Own Death
There has been a new update in Celeste Rivas' murder case, with D4VD now ordered to stand trial for the 14-year-old's murder.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleD4VD found himself in legal trouble when he was arrested as the prime suspect in Celeste Rivas' murder case after her remains were found in his Tesla. Now, after the preliminary hearing, the court has ordered the musician to stand trial, alleging that there is enough evidence to make the case. Amid that news, it has also been reported that his defense tried to blame the victim for her own death.
D4VD ordered to stand trial for murder
D4VD's preliminary hearings have come to an end after five days of testimony. After hearing all the evidence, the judge ordered the murder case of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas to proceed to trial. They also ruled that the trial must begin within 90 days, with D4VD being brought back for arraignment on August 31, 2026. Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said after the hearing ended that the singer is eligible for the death penalty.
He further revealed that they are currently weighing whether or not the death penalty will be pursued. In a conversation with TMZ, Nathan Hochman also reflected on D4VD and Celeste Rivas' relationship, alleging that the latter's family did not approve of their relationship, despite the defense presenting texts and travel documents Monday, July 27, 2026 (ET) that it claims show they knew Celeste and D4VD were spending time together.
Nathan Hochman didn't exactly answer the question about the Rivas family knowing about the incident and instead called the family's loss an "unspeakable tragedy". He further said that his office intends to bring D4VD to justice before a jury.
D4VD's defense blaming Celeste Rivas for her death
In another shocking revelation, it has been revealed that D4VD's lawyer had attempted to blame Celeste Rivas for her own death. Her family is now blasting the defense for alleging that Celeste killed herself and referenced text messages where she threatened to kill him. Patrick Steinfeld, who is representing Celeste's parents, held court Monday, July 27, 2026 (ET) following D4VD's preliminary hearing and said he was disturbed by the defense's tactics in court.
Patrick Steinfeld blasted the defense for "stopping at nothing" to discredit the prosecution's evidence. He revealed that Celeste Rivas' family was horrified to hear D4VD's defense attorneys attempt to place blame on their minor child. He further pushed back on their allegations that Celeste had lied to the musician about her age.
He pointed to a February 2024 welfare check during which a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy allegedly told D4VD she was only 13. Patrick Steinfeld further said D4VD knew Celeste Rivas was a minor and argued he has no defense to the continuous sexual abuse of a child. Amid D4VD fighting to prove his innocence, his Apple Music page has garnered immense attention.
According to reports, the buzz began after fans noticed that a single titled I Did It was released on his account, immediately coming to notice. Following that, two more tracks were released on D4VD's Apple Music: I'm Sorry, I Love You, Celeste, and I'll See You in Hell, Celeste, as part of I Confess, Celeste. While it was later revealed that the songs were fake and released to the singer's account after it was hacked, Celeste Rivas' family is just glad that the case has moved to trial.
What are your thoughts on D4VD's case being forwarded for a trial?
PC: D4VD/IG, CelesteRivasFamily
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