In a significant development within the ongoing murder trial of David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, Los Angeles prosecutors have revealed that the singer’s iCloud account allegedly contains a “significant amount of child pornography.” The disclosure came during a court appearance on Thursday, where the platinum-selling artist sat impassively as Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman detailed the findings of the digital investigation.
Burke, who is currently facing charges for the first-degree murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, appeared in an orange jail uniform with his left wrist shackled to his chair. Despite the gravity of the new allegations, his legal team, led by Marilyn Bednarski and Blair Berk, indicated they are proceeding toward a preliminary hearing. Judge Charlaine Olmedo has scheduled a follow-up hearing for April 29 to address evidence production, with the preliminary hearing—a mini-trial to review evidence in open court—set to begin on May 1.
The Investigation and Digital Evidence
The prosecution highlighted the complexity of the case, noting that investigators utilized wiretaps and convened three separate grand juries between November and February to probe the circumstances surrounding Rivas Hernandez’s death. Silverman emphasized the “voluminous amount of digital data” involved, stating that the Los Angeles Police Department has only uploaded approximately 30 percent of the evidence to the defense-accessible system thus far.
“Today is exactly one year since the death of Celeste, and based on that, [we] want this case to proceed quickly,” Silverman told the court. The prosecution expressed readiness to set a trial date within a 60-day window once the defense has completed its review of the discovery materials.
Autopsy Findings and Forensic Details
The court proceedings follow the release of a detailed autopsy report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. The report concluded that Rivas Hernandez died from “multiple penetrating injuries” to the upper abdomen, specifically citing stab wounds that perforated the liver and chest. The manner of death was officially classified as a homicide on December 9, 2025.
The forensic findings painted a grim picture of the victim’s remains, which were discovered in September 2025 inside the front trunk of a towed Tesla in the Hollywood Hills. The report noted that the body was dismembered and showed signs of advanced decomposition. Toxicology tests indicated presumptive positives for benzodiazepines, methamphetamine, and MDMA, though these findings require further confirmation and were not deemed the primary cause of death.
Dr. Odey Ukpo, the chief medical examiner, expressed relief that the information could finally be released after law enforcement had previously blocked its disclosure. “It is unfathomable [Rivas’ parents] have had to wait this long to learn what happened to their daughter,” Ukpo stated.
Legal Charges and Defense Stance
Burke faces one count of first-degree murder with special circumstances, including lying in wait and financial gain. Additionally, he is charged with separate counts related to sexual acts with a minor and the mutilation of human remains. Prosecutors allege that Rivas Hernandez was killed on April 23, 2025, after entering Burke’s home, with the mutilation occurring around May 5.
Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His defense attorneys maintained their client’s innocence in a statement, asserting that he “did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez, and he was not the cause of her death.” As the May 1 hearing approaches, the court will continue to weigh the mounting digital and forensic evidence in this high-profile case.