Prosecutors Detail Digital Evidence in Celeste Rivas Hernandez Case
Los Angeles County prosecutors have presented substantial digital evidence, including a "significant amount" of child pornography, recovered from the devices of singer David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, in connection with the murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The revelations emerged during court proceedings on Thursday, April 23, 2026, exactly one year after prosecutors allege Burke committed the crime.
Prosecutors assert that Burke's iCloud account contained eight terabytes of data, with one terabyte already downloaded and analyzed, revealing the presence of child sexual abuse material. His iPhone has also been reported to contain a "significant amount" of similar content.
The investigation into the death of the 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez has intensified with these disclosures. Burke, 21, has pleaded not guilty to charges including murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and mutilation of human remains. Prosecutors allege that Burke engaged in a sexual relationship with Hernandez when she was 13 and subsequently killed her to prevent her from reporting the relationship, which they claim would have jeopardized his music career. Her remains were discovered in September, several months after her death, which authorities estimate occurred around May 5, 2025.
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Court Proceedings and Evidence Presentation
During Thursday's court appearance, prosecutors stated that over 40 terabytes of digital evidence have been recovered in total. The volume of sensitive material, particularly the child pornography, is reportedly substantial and is contributing to delays in its full dissemination to the defense.
"It will take time to share the vast quantity, particularly due to the sensitive materials found on Burke’s phone." - Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman
The defense team for Burke has been seeking immediate access to discovery and has pushed for a preliminary hearing to occur sooner rather than later. However, the sheer volume and nature of the digital evidence have complicated this timeline. A preliminary hearing, where prosecutors will publicly present a portion of their evidence to determine if there is sufficient cause to proceed to trial, is scheduled for May 1, 2026.
Burke appeared in court wearing an orange inmate jumpsuit. He remains in custody without bail.
Background and Timeline
Celeste Rivas Hernandez was last seen at Burke's Hollywood Hills residence on April 23, 2025. Her remains were found later that year, dismembered and discovered in a Tesla linked to Burke's address. The condition of her remains reportedly delayed the medical examiner's ability to determine a definitive cause of death.
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D4vd, who gained prominence through TikTok with hits like "Romantic Homicide," was reportedly on tour when police made initial discoveries related to the case. His family issued a statement expressing their grief and seeking justice. The preliminary hearing on May 1 is expected to provide further clarity on the evidence against Burke as the case moves towards a potential trial.
