D4vd’s preliminary hearing took a dramatic turn after prosecutors presented new evidence they believe links the singer to 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The testimony centered on tattoos, financial records, and graphic crime scene evidence as the court examined whether the case should move to trial.
The hearing stretched through emotional testimony on Tuesday. Celeste’s family remained in the courtroom throughout the proceedings.
Prosecution highlighted D4vd’s tattoo while presenting evidence during the hearing
According to TMZ, an investigator testified that deputies noticed a faded “Celeste” tattoo on D4vd’s left ring finger during booking. Prosecutors also displayed photos showing a “Shhh” tattoo on his right index finger and a religious inscription on his right palm. The singer reportedly watched the images calmly while stroking his chin.
The outlet reported that prosecutors consider the tattoos central to their case. They allege Celeste also had D4vd’s name tattooed on her left ring finger, along with a matching “Shhh” tattoo. Celeste’s mother and the medical examiner previously identified those markings. Prosecutors further allege D4vd removed the finger bearing his name and her pinky after killing and dismembering the teenager.
The hearing also revisited investigators’ claims about evidence collected after Celeste’s death. Prosecutors allege D4vd ordered two chainsaws through Amazon. However, an investigator testified that authorities recovered only one of them.
Another witness discussed the singer’s finances. The testimony estimated D4vd earned roughly $12 million between 2023 and 2025. The witness also said Interscope paid him an advance of about $600,000 after signing him in 2022 before making another larger payment later.
The prosecution has accused D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, of murdering Celeste after she threatened to reveal their alleged relationship. Court records allege he met the teenager online when she was about 11 years old and later subjected her to years of sexual abuse. Prosecutors claim he stabbed her twice in April 2025 before dismembering her body to destroy evidence, including tattoos they believe connected the pair.
During Tuesday’s hearing, detectives described discovering severed body parts inside a Tesla registered to Burke. They also testified that investigators recovered cadaver bags, heavy-duty trash bags, and other evidence. Prosecutors claim Burke used aliases to purchase supplies, including a shovel, body bags, an inflatable pool, and a burn cage. Investigators acknowledged someone never used the burn cage.
D4vd has pleaded not guilty to every charge. The Los Angeles Times reported that Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said the death penalty remains under consideration as the preliminary hearing continues.
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Originally reported by Vanshika Vasundhare Singh for Reality Tea
