Prosecutors Say Singer D4vd Dumped Evidence at Lake Cachuma Before Murder

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – According to a court filing today, singer D4vd drove to Lake Cachuma in Santa Barbara County to rid evidence linking him to the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

On Monday, David Anthony Burke - known by his stage name D4vd – was charged with murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains. Prosecutors on Wednesday say Burke began a sexual relationship with Hernandez when she was 13 and he was 18.

The court filing claims that on the night of April 23, 2025, Burke sent a ride share car to pick Hernandez from her home in Lake Elsinore to bring her to his Hollywood Hills home. Two messages were exchanged between the two before Hernandez's phone went completely silent.

That same night, around 11:30pm, prosecutors say Burke drove his Tesla north on Highway 101 to San Marcos Pass Road, SR-154, near Lake Cachuma in Santa Barbara County. Burke later returned to this same area on May 8th and May 31st. It was here that a Caltrans worker found Hernandez's passport in January.

Prosectors claimed Burke killed the young girl to keep their relationship a secret.

The body of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found decomposing in the truck of a Tesla in Hollywood back in September 2025. An autopsy report found that Hernandez had been stabbed twice in the torso.

Burke reportedly ordered two chainsaws, a body bag, heavy-duty laundry bags, and a blue inflatable pool to his home under the fake name, Victoria Mendez. Blood stains in Burke's garage matched the victim's DNA.

More evidence included Burke's cellphone records showing photographs, purchases, and text messages all alluding to the two's sexual relationship.

Burke could face the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole if found guilty. Prosecutors will have the opportunity to present more evidence at preliminary evidentiary hearing on May 26.

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