LOS ANGELES, April 30 — A newly disclosed court document has laid out a detailed timeline in the criminal case against musician D4vd, alleging that his association with a teenage girl began years before the offenses he now faces in court.
The filing, submitted ahead of a preliminary hearing, states that the artist — identified legally as David Anthony Burke — first encountered Celeste Rivas Hernandez in early 2022, when she was 11 years old.
Prosecutors further allege that by late 2023, the relationship had turned sexual, at a time when the girl was 13 and Burke was 18.
Missing Person Reports and Early Investigation
Authorities say the case first drew attention when the girl was reported missing on more than one occasion in 2024. During that investigation, detectives identified Burke as a person of interest after reviewing her phone records.
According to prosecutors, Burke told investigators he had recently spoken to the girl but denied knowing her age or being aware that she had been reported missing.
However, the filing claims that law enforcement later informed him directly that she was a minor. Despite that, prosecutors allege he continued to stay in contact with her.
Allegations of Continued Contact
The court document outlines what prosecutors describe as deliberate steps taken to maintain communication. Among the claims is that Burke arranged for another student to deliver a phone to the girl after she returned home, enabling them to stay in touch.
Investigators also allege that the two spent time together in multiple locations throughout 2024, including trips across state lines and overseas stays.
Text messages referenced in the filing reportedly include conversations about intimate matters, which prosecutors argue support their claims about the nature of the relationship.
Broader Criminal Case
Burke, 21, is facing a series of serious charges, including murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful handling of human remains.
The charges are tied to the discovery of the girl’s remains in September 2025 inside a vehicle linked to him, according to authorities.
Prosecutors have suggested that the victim may also have been connected to a separate investigation involving alleged misconduct, potentially providing a motive in the case.
Legal Status and Defense Response
Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges and remains in custody without bail. His legal team has denied the accusations, stating he was not responsible for the girl’s death and will contest the claims presented by prosecutors.
Court proceedings are expected to continue in the coming weeks, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for late May.
Note: All allegations in this report are based on court filings and statements from prosecutors. The case remains ongoing, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
