Prosecutors have disclosed unsettling new information about the alleged grooming and brutal mutilation of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas by D4vd, whose real name is David Burke. According to legal documents reviewed by The California Post, Burke arranged for an Uber to bring Rivas from her Lake Elsinore home to his residence in the Hollywood Hills on April 23. Prosecutors allege that Burke then fatally stabbed her and allowed her to bleed out.
Following the incident, Burke reportedly ordered a shovel from Home Depot, which was delivered to his home. A week later, he purchased two chainsaws from Amazon, followed by a body bag, heavy-duty laundry bags, and a blue inflatable pool on May 5, all under the alias Victoria Mendez, the documents state.
Investigators claim Burke took extreme measures to dispose of Rivas’ body, placing it in the inflatable pool to contain her blood and using the chainsaw to dismember her limbs.
Details on the Charges Against D4vd in the Murder of 14-Year-Old Celeste Rivas
Fragments of plastic found in Rivas’ remains reportedly matched the pool Burke had purchased. According to the documents, Burke amputated Rivas’ left ring and pinky fingers because her ring finger had a tattoo of his name; these fingers were never recovered.
A search warrant executed in September 2025 at Burke’s home allegedly uncovered evidence consistent with body dismemberment in the pool, which bore linear cuts. Biological samples testing positive for blood were collected, and DNA matched Rivas, investigators reported.
Prior to her death, Burke and Rivas had a heated argument via text message over his relationships with other women, the documents reveal. Rivas reportedly threatened to disclose damaging information about their relationship to ruin his career.
Investigators allege the two met in January 2022 when Rivas was 11 and began a sexual relationship in November 2023 when she was 13 and Burke was 18.
Rivas was reported missing by her family in February 2024. Detectives found Burke’s phone number on her phone. When contacted, Burke allegedly claimed ignorance of her age or missing status. Despite this, he continued to pursue Rivas, even providing her with a phone through a classmate to maintain communication, documents allege.
In a procedural hearing, Burke’s attorney expressed concern about the public disclosure of evidence. Last week, it was reported that child pornography was allegedly found on Burke’s iPhone. Investigators gathered 40 terabytes of data and conducted wiretaps during their investigation.
According to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office, Rivas died from multiple penetrating injuries. Her dismembered body was discovered on September 8, 2025, in the trunk of Burke’s Tesla.
It took investigators months to conclude the cause and manner of death, reaching a determination on December 8, 2025.
Burke faces first-degree murder charges with special circumstances, including lying in wait, murder of a witness, and murder for financial gain. Additional charges include lewd acts with a minor and mutilation of human remains. The allegation of murder of a witness stems from Rivas being involved in a lewd act investigation.
Authorities allege the murder for financial gain charge relates to Burke’s concerns that accusations of a minor relationship could harm his music career.
Exclusive footage from The California Post shows Burke being arrested at his Hollywood home, escorted by officers.
Burke is currently detained at the twin towers jail in downtown Los Angeles, alongside Nick Reiner, who faces charges of murdering his parents. He attended a hearing in the same facility.
Rivas’ parents, represented by attorney Patrick Steinfeld, expressed their devastation in a statement following the release of the Medical Examiner’s Report on their daughter’s death.
Burke’s preliminary hearing is set to begin on Friday, where he has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
