D4vd preliminary hearing day 3: Singer’s past activities come under scrutiny as disturbing timeline gets revealed

Singer D4vd (legal name David Anthony Burke) has become the subject of public attention following revelations during the third day of his preliminary hearing.

He reportedly faces first-degree murder charges, among others, in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Prosecutors alleged that the Here With Me artist killed and dismembered Hernandez in his Hollywood Hills home to prevent her from exposing their relationship.

The preliminary hearing which began in late July 2026 continues to examine evidence including forensic details, timelines and other materials presented by the prosecution. The hearing entered its third day on July 23 in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Prosecutors presented additional forensic testimony regarding hidden blood stains, digital tracking data mapping his vehicle's movements to Santa Barbara, and microscopic fragments from the victim’s remains collected from an inflatable pool at the singer’s residence.

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More details on singer D4vd preliminary hearing day 3

On the third day of the preliminary hearing of D4vd on July 23, prosecutors presented evidence that contributed to establishing a timeline of events.

Prosecutors presented cell phone records and vehicle GPS data demonstrating that David Burke’s cell phone and Tesla traveled together from his Hollywood Hills home to Santa Barbara where victim Celeste Rivas Hernandez's passport card was recovered, on at least three occasions.

LAPD Detective William Roecker from the Cellular Analysis Survey Team testified regarding location tracking data. He analyzed two mobile devices associated with Burke, including an international line connected directly to his Tesla vehicle.

On April 24, 2025 at 12:04 am, an outgoing call was placed from Burke's phone to Celeste’s number in Santa Barbara. Tesla then returned to Los Angeles by 7:07 am. Between May 8 and May 9, both devices were found near the highway site overnight. On May 31, 2025, the devices traveled back to the location with records showing Tesla stopping at a charging station.

A report in CBS News stated that Lauren Wallace, a criminalist for the LAPD, said that she found two chain saws and said they both tested negative for blood. She also found garage mats, a rowing machine and a Tesla charging cord covered with blood stains.

She testified that a black trash bag, wipes which were found inside the trash bag, and tarps also tested positive for blood. She added that she saw an inflatable pool which did not show obvious signs of blood but tested positive.

During cross-examination, the defense questioned the aspects of evidence collection process and the thoroughness of DNA testing carried out by the investigators.

Blair Berk, one of D4vd’s defense attorneys questioned Wallace as to why two chainsaws and a third mini saw were not collected into evidence after initial chemical swabs tested negative for blood. She further questioned why the three different saws were not tested for DNA, to which Wallace replied that she was there to screen for potential blood.

Lisa Lahendro, another criminalist for LAPD, testified that she discovered hair fibres and plant material and black foam-like fragments from the inflatable pool.

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According to a report in Fox11, the court observers were shocked by the evidence presented in the court during the third day of the preliminary hearing. Scott Borden described it as “horrifying” and something one could never imagine. Another said that he never imagined that a guy whom he admired would have “a darker side to him.”

D4vd was arrested and charged in the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who had been reported missing out of Riverside County multiple times beginning in 2024.

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