In a court document filed Wednesday, prosecutors allege singer D4vd cut off two of Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s fingers in an effort to ‘distance himself from the victim.’
The artist, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, is accused of killing Rivas on April 23, 2025 — only days before his debut album was scheduled to arrive.
Prosecutors contend the teenager was murdered to prevent her from speaking out about him. They further allege her body was later cut apart with a chainsaw, placed into two bags, and stored in the trunk of his Tesla.
Authorities say the remains were not found until months later, after the car was impounded. A manager at the facility reportedly contacted police after noticing a ‘strong smell of decay’ coming from the trunk.
A medical examiner’s report cited the 15 year old’s cause of death as ‘multiple penetrating injuries caused by object(s)’ and noted that two fingers were missing.
One finger reportedly had the tattoo ‘Shhh…’ while prosecutors claim the other displayed Burke’s name. They argue this is why the fingers were removed, alleging it was done to conceal any link between the two.
Neither digit has been located so far.
Prosecutors also allege Burke dismembered her using a chainsaw and then sent multiple text messages to her phone after he allegedly already knew she was dead, which they say was intended to mislead investigators.
Investigators claim surveillance video shows Burke was the last person seen driving the vehicle that contained the body in July 2025, shortly before he departed for tour.
The Wednesday filing also describes what prosecutors say was Burke’s relationship with Rivas, alleging he first encountered the teenage runaway when she was 11 and later began a sexual relationship with her when she was 13.
Authorities say recovered text messages point to a dispute between them believed to have occurred the night before Rivas is thought to have been killed.
According to prosecutors, the argument related to Rivas being upset about Burke seeing other women, and they allege she threatened to ‘end his career and destroy his life’ by revealing their illegal relationship.
Burke was detained on April 16 and formally charged on April 20 with first degree murder. He also faces charges of continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
If convicted, he could receive life in prison or potentially the death penalty.
He has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody while awaiting trial, with Burke and his legal team denying the allegations.
His attorneys, Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter, said after his arrest that he ‘was not the cause’ of Rivas’ tragic death and added that they intend to ‘vigorously defend David’s innocence.’