US singer D4vd to stand trial in killing of teenage girl

Singer D4vd was charged Monday with the murder and dismemberment of a teenage girl whose decomposing body was found in an abandoned Tesla in the Hollywood Hills. (Photo: AFP) July 28, 2026 LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — American singer D4vd will stand trial on charges of killing and dismembering a 14-year-old girl who prosecutors say threatened to reveal their illegal sexual relationship, a judge ordered Monday. Judge Charlaine Olmedo ruled there was enough incriminating evidence to proceed after a five-day hearing, during which prosecutors presented text messages from the teen victim — whose body was discovered in the trunk of D4vd’s car — threatening to end his career. The 21-year-old singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, allegedly began a sexual relationship with Celeste Rivas Hernandez when she was 13 and he was 18. Prosecutors say Hernandez was jealous of another woman and threatened to reveal their relationship in April 2025, about 24 hours before her death and three days before his first album was released. The singer then allegedly paid for an Uber to bring her to his home and subsequently stabbed her to death. According to prosecutors, Burke’s Amazon receipts show he purchased chainsaws and an inflatable pool, as well as a portable “burn box” incinerator that turned out to be too small to destroy her body. Hernandez’s decomposing body was found in September 2025 in the trunk of a Tesla registered in the singer’s name, which had been towed to a Hollywood impound lot. D4vd’s defence lawyer Blair Berk said “there was no evidence of deliberate intention to kill”. The singer rose to fame in 2022 when his song Romantic Homicide became a viral sensation on TikTok. Burke has denied one count each of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. He could face life imprisonment or the death penalty if convicted. KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Earthquake Unit at the University of the West Indies, Mona, recorded 549 earthquakes in 2025, relative to 633 in 2024. This in... ST JAMES, Jamaica — Women are being encouraged to prioritise their mental health to manage daily stress, build resilience, and support their overall w... Premier admits public funds were invested without required approvals KINGSTON, Jamaica — THE British Virgin Islands (BVI) Government is investigating how US$2.5 million in public funds was invested with Jamaica-linked D... KINGSTON, Jamaica — The 48-hour curfew imposed in sections of the St Andrew South Police Division has been extended. The curfew will continue from 6:... KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Education Trust (NET), in partnership with several public, private and diaspora organisations, will stage its annual ... KINGSTON, Jamaica — The United States (US) dollar on Monday, July 27, ended trading at $159.17, down by 19 cents according to Bank of Jamaica’s dail... Jamaica Observer Limited is advising the public of an unauthorised and deceptive website that is unlawfully using our name, logo, and other brand elem... KINGSTON, Jamaica — Sabrina Lyn has qualified for her second swimming final at the Commonwealth Games after she advanced to Tuesday’s final of the Wom... Facebook Twitter Instagram Polls Recent Posts Archives