Prosecutors claim that D4vd’s cellphone contained child pornography.
During his court appearance on Thursday (April 23), prosecutors claimed they combed through the artist’s phone and discovered a “significant amount” of child porn.
It remains unclear if any of the alleged footage showed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was find in a Tesla belonging to D4vd.
Complex was inside the courtroom during Thursday’s hearing where the 21-year-old singer (born David Anthony Burke) was present and donning an orange jumpsuit. He nodded several times and verbally responded “Yes ma’am” to Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo as she explained to him how his upcoming preliminary hearing will work.
D4vd was arrested last Thursday (April 16) in connection with Rivas’ death seven months after the minor’s dismembered and decomposed body was found in the front trunk of the artist’s Tesla.
Earlier this week, the “Romantic Homicide” singer pled not guilty to multiple charges including first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a person under 14, and mutilating a body. He remains jailed without bail. He was transferred to the Los Angeles Men’s Central Jail on Monday and has reportedly been placed in segregation.
A recent statement from the Los Angeles district attorney’s office alleged that the “Romantic Homicide” singer “personally used a deadly and dangerous weapon, a sharp instrument, to commit the crime.”
According to autopsy reports obtained by TMZ and released on Wednesday (April 22), the medical examiner in Los Angeles said Rivas' manner of death was homicide by two “penetrating wounds of the torso with smooth edges that may represent sharp force injuries.”
Rivas’ decomposed and dismembered remains were found last September in the Tesla registered to D4vd that had been impounded after the vehicle was reported as abandoned.
Rivas was reportedly last seen on April 23, 2025, when she went to D4vd’s Hollywood Hills rental home.
At the time that Rivas’ remains were discovered, D4vd was touring in support of his Withered album. He went on to perform on Sept. 9 at The Fillmore in Minneapolis after the story broke about the discovery.
D4vd’s remaining tour dates were canceled, and a previously-announced deluxe edition for Withered was seemingly shelved.
If convicted, D4vd faces death or life in state prison without the possibility of parole. A decision on whether to seek the death penalty will be made at a later date.
Rivas’ family broke their silence on her death in a statement shared on Tuesday (April 21) that thanked the Los Angeles Police Department and District Attorney’s office for their hard work.
“Celeste was a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance. Every Friday night was movie night and we spent wonderful times together,” read part of the statement. "We love her very much and she always told us that she loved us. We miss her deeply. All we want is justice for Celeste.”
