Blood Stains Link D4vd's Former Residence to Deceased Teen in Murder Hearing

Blood stains on objects recovered from singer D4vd’s former Los Angeles residence probably came from Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the 14-year-old whose decomposed body was found in his Tesla last fall, according to testimony heard in court on Thursday.

Prosecutors say D4vd, born David Anthony Burke, fatally stabbed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez last year to prevent her from exposing the sexual nature of their relationship amid his rising profile in the music world.

A preliminary hearing has been underway this week to determine if there is probable cause for Burke to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder, “lewd and lascivious acts” with a child under 14 and mutilation of human remains. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The state is explaining its theory about the circumstances of Rivas Hernandez’s death, presenting evidence early in the week that possible traces of blood were detected in areas of Burke’s Hollywood Hills address and Tesla.

On Thursday, Samantha Tosch, an LAPD criminalist, testified that samples taken from a rowing machine, a rubber floor mat and Tesla charger in Burke’s garage were “one septillion times more likely to occur if it originated from Celeste rather than anyone else in the population”.

Attorneys for Burke scrutinized how law enforcement officials chose to test evidence found in his home.

Defense attorney Blair Berk questioned Lauren Wallace, another criminalist for the Los Angeles police department, on Thursday about why certain items, including chainsaws located in the musician’s garage, were not tested.

Berk appeared to suggest that another individual’s DNA could have been detected.

“You were aware that multiple people lived at this residence, right?” she asked Wallace, in reference to the Hollywood Hills address, where the singer resided.

“Yes, we were aware,” Wallace said.

The exchange previewed how Burke’s lawyers might aim to poke holes in the prosecution’s case should it proceed to trial.

On Wednesday, Sean Buenrostro, a California highway patrol officer, testified about a Caltrans worker finding a passport bearing Rivas Hernandez’s name and photograph in January 2026 on a dirt embankment off a rural stretch of State Route 154 in Santa Barbara. Buenrostro arrived on scene after the worker called law enforcement about the identification card.

During cross-examination, defense attorney Regina Peter appeared to cast doubt on possible theories of how the passport landed there: “Did you do anything to rule out the possibility that the card arrived there by means of some sort of storm or weather issue?” she asked.

Cellular data and a Tesla system showed Burke traveled to the area where Rivas Hernandez’s passport was discovered, LAPD detective William Roecker said on Thursday.

The hearing is expected to conclude early next week.