On Thursday, Celeste Rivas’ parents were present as details emerged about the clothes she wore when she was killed.
During the preliminary hearing for D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, Detective Lisa Lahendro of the Los Angeles Police Department testified. He is charged with the murder of the teenage girl.
Detective Lahendro described the clothing found with Rivas’ body, noting items such as a Victoria’s Secret thong, leggings, and a Forever 21 tube top. She said the clothes were “very dirty, covered in insects,” and “had a strong odor, indicating they were in poor condition.”
Furthermore, she mentioned that the clothing was quite wet. Investigators reportedly discovered black fabric in a garbage bag in Burke’s garage, which they compared to Rivas’ clothes.
The preliminary hearing began on Tuesday, and family members had to endure harrowing images of Rivas’ decapitated and dismembered body displayed in court.
Several photos depicted her remains, including limbs in garbage bags and her head and torso in a body bag. One detective noted, “The trunk was open and there was a partially unzipped body bag containing the torso and head,” highlighting the brutality of the crime.
Detective Chelsea Murillo testified about inspecting the Tesla where Rivas’ body was discovered. Although the body had been removed, the car still emitted strong odors consistent with a decomposing body.
According to Murillo, there were “at least 11” air fresheners found inside the vehicle.
Detective Lauren Wallace also testified about investigating Burke’s Hollywood Hills home for blood stains after his arrest. She detected traces of blood that appeared to have seeped onto the garage floor.
During the hearing, it was revealed that D4vd continued to make a significant income after Rivas’ alleged murder in April 2025. Louis Poimirou, from Interscope Records, testified that Burke earned $2.77 million that year.
The singer’s financial dealings, particularly related to his music contracts, surfaced in the court discussions, showing that he earned at least $2.7 million in the same year he allegedly killed Rivas.
Burke faces serious charges, including first-degree murder with specifications of ambush and killing a witness involved in an investigation, as well as financial gain from the act. Additionally, he has been charged with lewd conduct involving a minor and the mutilation of human remains.
Legal documents indicate that Burke ordered an Uber to take Rivas from her parents’ home in Lake Elsinore to his home in the Hollywood Hills on the night of April 23, 2025.
Following this, prosecutors assert that he stabbed her and lingered until she had bled to death.
The preliminary hearing is set to last three to five days and will determine if Burke will stand trial next year.
