The American music industry is in shock. David Anthony Burke , better known by his stage name D4vd , is facing accusations of extreme violence. The Los Angeles District Attorney's office released a court document on Wednesday detailing the murder and dismemberment of 17-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

A terrifying modus operandi

According to the prosecution, the events took place in the singer's garage in Hollywood. The document describes a macabre staging intended to conceal the crime:

1. Mutilation: The artist allegedly used a chainsaw to dismember the victim's body.
2. Concealment: To avoid soiling the ground, he allegedly placed the body in an inflatable pool before disposing of it.
3. Evidence erased: Two of the victim's fingers were allegedly amputated, one of which bore a tattoo with the singer's name.

The decomposing body was only discovered on September 8, almost four months after the murder, in a Tesla belonging to the artist that was impounded.

The motives for the crime: Control and secrecy

The investigation reveals a disturbing relationship that began when the victim was only 11 years old. Sexual relations reportedly began when she was 13.

On April 23, 2025, an argument reportedly broke out at the singer's home. Celeste Rivas Hernandez allegedly threatened to reveal their affair, thus jeopardizing the artist's burgeoning career. To silence her, D4vd allegedly stabbed her multiple times before watching her succumb to her injuries.

Legal proceedings and issues

The 21-year-old artist, currently in pre-trial detention, is being prosecuted on three major charges:

1. Assassination
2. Sexual assault on a minor
3. Corpse mutilation

The defense reacts: David Burke's lawyers denounce a "biased" case and have tried, unsuccessfully, to place the documents under seal to preserve the fairness of the future trial.

D4vd pleaded not guilty . If convicted, he faces life imprisonment or the death penalty. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 12 .

A work with a prescient title?

This case has caused deep unease in the United States, with the public inevitably drawing parallels between these accusations and the hit song that launched the artist's career in 2022: "Romantic Homicide." This track, which went viral on TikTok, now seems to take on a tragic resonance in light of the alleged events.