Shocking Details Emerge in the Murder Case of 14-Year-Old Celeste Rivas

New Developments in the Case

Recent revelations have surfaced regarding the tragic murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas. Prosecutors allege that singer D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, not only fatally stabbed Rivas but also spent several days acquiring tools to dismember and dispose of her remains. Burke has entered a plea of not guilty, with his preliminary hearing set to commence on Friday.

Events Leading to the Tragedy

How the Night Unfolded

As per legal documents obtained by a local news outlet, Burke summoned an Uber to transport Rivas from her home in Lake Elsinore to his residence in Hollywood Hills on the night of April 23, 2025. Prosecutors claim he then stabbed her and stood by as she succumbed to her injuries.

Disturbing Purchases Made

The Purchases That Followed

In the days following the alleged murder, Burke's actions were chilling. The day after the incident, he reportedly ordered a shovel from Home Depot through a delivery service. A week later, two chainsaws were delivered to his home from an online retailer. On May 5, he allegedly ordered a body bag, heavy-duty laundry bags, and a blue inflatable pool, all under a fictitious name, Victoria Mendez.

Investigators assert that Burke took extreme measures to destroy and dispose of Rivas' body. He purportedly placed her remains in the inflatable pool in his garage to contain the blood and then used a chainsaw and other tools to dismember her, as detailed in the legal documents. Fragments of plastic found in Rivas' remains were reportedly linked to the inflatable pool Burke had purchased. Additionally, he allegedly severed Rivas' left ring and pinky fingers, as her ring finger bore a tattoo of his name, and those fingers were never recovered.

Background of Their Relationship

How They Met

Prosecutors indicate that Burke and Rivas' relationship began when she was just 11 years old in January 2022, escalating to a sexual relationship by November 2023 when Rivas was 13 and Burke was 18. Rivas was reported missing by her family in February 2024, prior to her alleged murder. Detectives discovered Burke's phone number on her device and contacted him. He claimed ignorance regarding her age and her disappearance.

After Rivas was located safely and her family confiscated her phone, Burke allegedly continued to pursue her. He reportedly drove to Lake Elsinore and paid a classmate of Rivas $1,000 to deliver a phone he had purchased for her, facilitating their communication. Text messages retrieved by investigators suggest that their sexual relationship persisted.

Circumstances Surrounding the Murder

What Triggered the Night of the Alleged Murder

The night before Rivas' death, she and Burke engaged in a lengthy text argument, during which she expressed her anger over his relationships with other women. Prosecutors allege she threatened to expose their relationship, which could jeopardize his career. This threat is believed to have directly influenced the events that followed, leading to one of the special circumstances in Burke's murder charge being murder for financial gain, as prosecutors suspect he feared the repercussions on his music career.

Legal Charges Against Burke

The Charges

Burke faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder with special circumstances such as lying in wait, murdering a witness to an investigation, and murder for financial gain. He is also charged with lewd acts with a minor under 14 and mutilation of human remains. A significant amount of child pornography was reportedly found on Burke's iPhone, with investigators collecting 40 terabytes of data during their inquiry and conducting a wiretap.

Discovery of the Body

How the Body Was Found

Rivas' dismembered body was discovered on September 8, 2025, in the trunk of Burke's Tesla. The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office concluded that she died from "multiple penetrating injuries" on December 8, 2025. Burke is currently detained at Twin Towers jail in downtown Los Angeles.

Family's Heartfelt Statement

Family's Response

Rivas' parents have expressed their devastation through their attorney, Patrick Steinfeld. "The Rivas Hernandez family is absolutely devastated by the findings contained in the Medical Examiner's Report involving the horrible and gruesome death of their beloved daughter," the statement read.