Judge rules singer D4vd must stand trial in killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez

Singer D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, has been ordered to stand trial for the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. A Los Angeles judge, Charlaine Olmedo, ruled that there is sufficient evidence to proceed with the trial following a preliminary hearing that lasted five days. The charges against D4vd include murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14, and unlawful mutilation related to the dismemberment of Hernandez's body (BBC; Deadline; Variety). The prosecution alleges that D4vd murdered and dismembered Hernandez, whose remains were discovered in a Tesla registered to his address. They argue that D4vd was a “very clever adult” who had sexually abused Hernandez and manipulated her prior to her death. The prosecution claims that Hernandez had threatened to expose their relationship, which could have jeopardized D4vd's career (South China Morning Post; Hollywood Reporter). During the preliminary hearing, the evidence presented was deemed sufficient to establish probable cause for the charges against D4vd. The judge indicated that the prosecution had met their burden on all counts, allowing the case to move forward in the legal system (Variety; South China Morning Post). D4vd has pleaded not guilty, with his lawyers contending that the evidence for the murder charge is insufficient (PRIMARY SOURCE). As the legal proceedings continue, the case has garnered significant media attention due to the serious nature of the allegations and the profile of the accused (BBC; Deutsche Welle).