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US singer D4vd stabbed 14-year-old girl multiple times and dismembered her body, prosecutors say

US singer D4vd killed a 14-year-old girl by stabbing her multiple times to prevent her revealing their relationship, prosecutors have said.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office claim the 21-year-old musician killed Celeste Rivas Hernandez then dismembered her body in his garage when she threatened to disclose details about their relationship.

D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, has denied murdering the teenager and pleaded not guilty to several other counts, including lewd and lascivious acts with a person under 14 and mutilating a dead body.

A court filing, outlining evidence to be presented at a preliminary evidentiary hearing set to begin on 26 May, claims the singer met Ms Hernandez, from Lake Elsinore in California, when she was 11 and began a sexual relationship with her when she was 13 and he was 18.

The document alleges: "Knowing he had to silence the victim before she ruined his music career as she had threatened, very soon after her arrival at his home, [the] defendant stabbed the victim to death multiple times and stood by while she bled out."

Prosecutors say Burke purchased tools online, including two chainsaws, and claim he "took horrifying measures" to try and dispose of the body, which was found in two bags in a Tesla registered to the singer in September.

The car had been towed from the Hollywood Hills to an impound yard, where authorities were alerted to a foul smell coming from the vehicle.

An autopsy report said Ms Hernandez died from "multiple penetrating injuries caused by objects".

'A beautiful, strong girl'

Last week, prosecutors said a "significant amount" of child sex abuse images had been recovered during an investigation into Burke following his arrest on 16 April.

A few days earlier, Ms Hernandez's parents, Jesus Rivas and Mercedes Martinez, in their first public statement in the case, described their daughter as "a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance".

"All we want is justice for Celeste," they added.

In court on Wednesday, Burke's attorneys asked the judge to block the release of the prosecution's document, which was denied. They had no comment outside court.

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Following the hearing next month, a judge will determine whether the case will go to trial.

Burke is eligible for the death penalty, but prosecutors have not confirmed whether they will seek it.

The singer, known for his blend of indie rock, R&B and lo-fi pop, gained success with his 2022 hit Romantic Homicide and last year performed at Coachella music festival.

Sky News

(c) Sky News 2026: US singer D4vd stabbed 14-year-old girl multiple times and dismembered her body, prosecutors s

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