The murder trial of American singer, D4vd, reached another critical stage this week as prosecutors laid out forensic evidence they say links the singer to the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. During the second day of a preliminary hearing in Los Angeles, investigators described blood evidence, DNA findings, and crime scene analysis that they argue is sufficient to send the case to a full trial.
The hearing is not intended to determine guilt or innocence. Instead, the judge must decide whether prosecutors have presented enough evidence for the case to proceed. Even so, the testimony has offered a detailed look at the prosecution’s case, while defense attorneys have continued to challenge the handling of evidence and insist that David Burke, the artist known as D4vd, is not responsible for the teenager’s death.
Forensic Evidence Forms the Core of the Prosecution’s Case
The highly anticipated preliminary hearing in the murder case against singer D4vd continued Wednesday in Los Angeles. ABC News’ Alex Stone has the latest. https://t.co/3l08vrxP5p pic.twitter.com/BeRZYW6qMt
— ABC News (@ABC) July 23, 2026
Much of the latest testimony focused on forensic evidence collected from a Hollywood Hills home that Burke rented and from a Tesla registered in his name.
Lauren Wallace, a criminalist with the Los Angeles Police Department, testified that investigators discovered suspected blood stains on rubber floor mats inside the home’s garage. While some stains were visible, others only appeared after investigators used Bluestar, a luminol-based chemical that reacts with traces of blood by producing a bright blue glow.
Photos shown in court reportedly revealed large sections of the garage floor illuminated in blue, prompting audible reactions from people in the courtroom. Wallace also testified that investigators found possible blood evidence on garbage bags, cleaning wipes, a rowing machine, and a Tesla charging cable.
According to prosecutors, DNA testing later matched some of the blood evidence to Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Blood and DNA Evidence Found Inside the Tesla
🚨 D4vd’s Tesla was loaded with air fresheners when Celeste’s body was found.
Full details: https://t.co/mFTPDUquuh pic.twitter.com/GwRWyq9C8h
— TMZ (@TMZ) July 22, 2026
Another key witness, LAPD criminalist Chelsea Murillo, testified about examining Burke’s black Tesla Model X after the vehicle was towed in September 2025.
Murillo told the court she immediately noticed a strong odor consistent with a decomposing body. She also observed numerous air fresheners placed throughout the vehicle, including inside the center console, rear seats, and front storage compartment.
Investigators conducted chemical testing inside the SUV, identifying blood traces in several locations. Bluestar testing revealed additional stains not visible to the naked eye, while DNA analysis allegedly connected some of those samples to Rivas Hernandez.
Prosecutors argue the vehicle became one of the most significant pieces of evidence in the D4vd murder trial, as the teen’s remains were discovered inside the front trunk months after prosecutors say she was killed.
Prosecutors Outline Their Theory of the Crime
Based on lead Detective Joshua Byers’ testimony, these are the items investigators say were purchased and delivered to D4vd’s Doheny Drive home, in chronological order. One could speculate that there may have been a change in plans regarding how the body would be disposed of…
— Lauren Conlin (@conlin_lauren) July 21, 2026
According to court filings, prosecutors believe Burke began a sexual relationship with Rivas Hernandez when she was 13 years old and he was 18.
They allege that tensions developed after the teenager threatened to reveal the relationship, fearing it would damage Burke’s rapidly growing music career.
Prosecutors claim Burke arranged transportation for Rivas Hernandez to his Hollywood home on April 23, 2025, where she was fatally stabbed.
Investigators also presented evidence showing Burke allegedly purchased chainsaws, a body bag, heavy-duty garbage bags, an inflatable pool, and a shovel shortly after the alleged killing. While forensic testing reportedly found no blood on two chainsaws recovered from the garage, prosecutors argue the purchases fit the timeline of the alleged crime.
A third chainsaw prosecutors believe was ordered has never been recovered.
Passport Discovery Adds Another Piece to the Investigation
The court also heard testimony from a California Highway Patrol officer regarding the discovery of Rivas Hernandez’s passport.
A highway maintenance worker reportedly found the passport in a rural area of Santa Barbara County months after the teenager disappeared.
Prosecutors told the court that location data places Burke in the same area twice: once on the night prosecutors believe the killing occurred and again several weeks later. They argue this supports their theory that he attempted to dispose of evidence connected to the case.
While prosecutors presented the travel records as supporting evidence, defense attorneys have not accepted that interpretation.
Defense Challenges Investigators’ Procedures
As expected during a preliminary hearing, Burke’s legal team spent much of its cross-examination questioning the way investigators handled evidence collection.
Defense attorney Blair Berk pressed witnesses about who had access to the Tesla, whether proper gloves were consistently used, and why investigators chose not to collect DNA from certain parts of the vehicle.
Murillo responded that swabbing the exterior of the Tesla “didn’t seem necessary” based on the investigation.
The defense has consistently maintained Burke’s innocence and argues prosecutors have not established that he killed Rivas Hernandez. Burke has pleaded not guilty to charges that include murder, sexual abuse of a child, and mutilation of human remains.
Emotional Courtroom Moments
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The proceedings have also been emotionally devastating for the victim’s family.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s parents attended the hearings, where graphic crime scene photographs were presented as evidence. The images reportedly showed portions of their daughter’s remains recovered from the Tesla.
Outside the courtroom, attorneys representing the family described the proceedings as deeply painful, saying the parents chose to remain present despite the disturbing evidence because they wanted to be there for their daughter.
Meanwhile, Burke appeared in court wearing orange jail clothing and glasses as he remained in custody without bail.
What Comes Next in the D4vd Murder Trial?
The preliminary hearing is expected to continue as prosecutors finish presenting witnesses and forensic evidence.
At its conclusion, the judge will determine whether there is probable cause for the D4vd murder trial to proceed to a full criminal trial. If the judge finds the prosecution has met that legal threshold, Burke will be ordered to stand trial on all applicable charges.
The case remains one of the most closely watched criminal proceedings involving a rising music artist, combining complex forensic evidence, digital records, and serious allegations that could ultimately be decided before a jury. As testimony continues, the D4vd murder trial is expected to remain under intense public and legal scrutiny.
Featured image: Max Durante for Flood Magazine
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