The Celeste Rivas Hernandez case has taken another disturbing turn as an updated death certificate reveals significant uncertainty regarding whether the teenage victim was pregnant in the year leading up to her death. This latest development adds yet another layer of complexity to an already harrowing investigation involving rising music artist D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, who stands accused of killing the 14-year-old girl whose dismembered remains were discovered in his Tesla last year.
Updated Death Certificate Raises Questions About Pregnancy
Los Angeles authorities confirmed this week that the updated death certificate for Celeste Rivas Hernandez states it remains unclear whether the teen was pregnant during the twelve months before her death. This revelation comes as prosecutors continue to build their case against Burke, who has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the girl’s death.
The pregnancy uncertainty was highlighted in court proceedings this week, where prosecutors also revealed that Burke and Celeste exchanged numerous text messages discussing sex, pregnancy, and abortion. At the time of these alleged conversations, Burke was 18 years old while Celeste was only 13. These exchanges have become central to the prosecution’s narrative, particularly as they relate to charges of continuous sexual acts and lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor under 14.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez Case: The Family’s Heartbreaking Statement
Following the release of disturbing new court filings, the attorney representing the Rivas Hernandez family issued an emotional public statement addressing the latest developments in the Celeste Rivas Hernandez case. The family has now decided to step away from public commentary entirely, citing the unbearable nature of the ongoing revelations.
In a statement released Thursday, the family’s wrongful death attorney described the experience of informing the grieving family about the gruesome allegations detailed in court. The attorney, who has practiced law for 37 years, called it the most difficult task of his entire career. He revealed that he had originally encouraged the family to speak publicly throughout the criminal proceedings, with the support of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office. However, the family has now chosen silence as their response to the mounting horror.
The statement emphasized that the family continues to face ordinary responsibilities,paying bills, going to work,while enduring indescribable grief. They have asked the public for grace and compassion during this unimaginably painful period.
Disturbing New Details from the Celeste Rivas Hernandez Case
Court filings unsealed on Wednesday painted an increasingly grim picture of the events prosecutors allege took place. D4vd appeared before a judge as these documents became public, and the details within have shocked even seasoned legal observers.
Charges Filed Against the Singer
Burke faces multiple serious charges, including:
- First-degree murder
- Continuous sexual acts with a minor
- Lewd and lascivious sexual acts with an individual under 14 years old
- Mutilating human remains
He pleaded not guilty to all charges earlier this month. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for May 26, where a judge will determine whether sufficient evidence exists to send the case to trial.
The Tesla and the Discovery of Remains
According to prosecutors, Burke was the last person to drive the Tesla where Celeste’s dismembered body was eventually discovered in September 2025. Surveillance video allegedly captured him operating the vehicle for the final time on July 29, 2025, shortly before he departed Los Angeles for a tour. After leaving the car parked on a Hollywood Hills street, it was eventually towed, leading to the horrifying discovery months later.
Amazon Purchases and Disposal Methods
The legal brief detailed a series of alleged purchases Burke made following Celeste’s death, all ordered under a fictitious name but delivered to his Hollywood Hills residence. These purchases included:
- Two chainsaws ordered on May 1
- A body bag, heavy-duty laundry bags, and a blue inflatable pool ordered on May 5
- A “burn cage” ordered on July 7, allegedly intended to incinerate evidence
Investigators reportedly found small blue plastic fragments embedded in Celeste’s remains. An expert allegedly matched these fragments to the inflatable pool, suggesting she was dismembered inside it to prevent blood from spilling onto the garage floor. The pool itself was later recovered during a search warrant and showed multiple linear cuts.
Discarded Evidence in Santa Barbara County
Prosecutors allege Burke traveled to an area near Lake Cachuma in Santa Barbara County multiple times after Celeste’s death, including on the very night she was murdered. He reportedly drove north on the 101 Freeway from his Hollywood Hills home around 11:30 p.m. on April 23, 2025, before returning the following morning to attend a radio interview promoting his new album.
A Caltrans worker later discovered Celeste’s passport card discarded along SR-154 in Santa Barbara County on January 17, 2026, providing further physical evidence linking Burke to disposal efforts in that region.
How D4vd and Celeste Met
Perhaps the most unsettling aspect of the Celeste Rivas Hernandez case involves the timeline of how the singer and the young girl first came into contact. According to court documents, Burke and Celeste met in January 2022, when she was just 11 years old. Prosecutors allege that their sexual relationship began in November 2023, when she was 13 and he was 18.
Celeste was reported missing from her family’s Lake Elsinore home on two separate occasions,February and April 2024. When the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office contacted Burke on February 17, 2024, after identifying his phone number in Celeste’s records, he allegedly claimed ignorance about her age and missing status. Deputies then visited his West Hollywood home that same day, where he reportedly admitted meeting her only once in person.
The Secret Phone Arrangement
Even after being informed that Celeste was 13 years old and a runaway, prosecutors allege Burke continued pursuing her. When Celeste’s parents confiscated her phone after she returned home, Burke allegedly paid a classmate $1,000 to deliver a new cell phone he had purchased so they could continue communicating.
Throughout 2024, the pair reportedly spent significant time together, including weekends at his Hollywood Hills home and trips to Las Vegas, London, and Texas, where Celeste allegedly met members of Burke’s family. Their text messages allegedly contained explicit references to their sexual relationship, and prosecutors reportedly discovered explicit photos that corroborate these claims.
The Night of the Murder
According to the prosecution’s legal brief, the events of April 22-23, 2025, formed the prelude to Celeste’s death. The two allegedly engaged in a lengthy argument, with Celeste reportedly jealous of Burke’s other relationships. She allegedly threatened to expose their relationship to destroy his career and life.
Burke’s album was scheduled for release on April 25, and he reportedly had lucrative product endorsements awaiting him along with an upcoming tour. Prosecutors allege he sent an Uber to pick Celeste up from her Lake Elsinore home around 8:40 p.m. on April 23. She reportedly arrived at his Hollywood Hills residence around 10:10 p.m.
Burke allegedly texted her at 10:30 p.m. asking where she was, but prosecutors believe she was already dead by this time. They describe the texts as part of a “premeditated plan” to cover up the murder. The legal brief alleges Burke stabbed Celeste multiple times and stood by while she bled to death, never calling 911 or attempting to get her medical help.
DNA Evidence and Police Response
During a search of Burke’s Hollywood Hills garage, LAPD investigators reportedly discovered evidence consistent with dismemberment. Samples tested positive for blood that matched Celeste’s DNA. The garage contained the deflated inflatable pool with linear cuts, providing physical corroboration of the prosecution’s disturbing narrative.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell addressed the public through ABC7, expressing frustration about how some observers had treated the case. He emphasized that investigators took the matter with the utmost seriousness and remained committed to preserving evidence for trial. More than 40 terabytes of evidence has reportedly been recovered from computers, tablets, and iCloud accounts, including what prosecutors describe as a “significant amount” of child sexual abuse material found on Burke’s phone.
Looking Ahead in the Celeste Rivas Hernandez Case
The Celeste Rivas Hernandez case continues to unfold with disturbing revelations emerging at each court appearance. Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani has suggested that Burke’s defense team may attempt to argue that Celeste accidentally died from a drug overdose, and Burke subsequently panicked. If the defense could somehow secure a conviction only on mutilation of remains while avoiding the sex crime and murder charges, it would represent a significant legal victory given the potential penalties involved.
With the preliminary hearing scheduled for May 26, witnesses will be called and evidence will be formally presented. The case has already attracted national attention, partly due to Burke’s rising profile as a musician whose career appeared poised for significant growth before these allegations emerged. Popular platforms like Fortnite have even offered refunds for in-game items connected to the singer following his arrest.
As the legal process grinds forward, the Rivas Hernandez family has asked for something simple but profound: the space and compassion to grieve. Behind every headline and courtroom filing lies a family forever changed by the loss of their daughter, whose memory deserves to be honored through the pursuit of justice.