D4vd Faces Chainsaw Dismemberment Allegations in Murder Case Court Filing

Prosecutors have laid out a series of grave new charges against the 21-year-old singer in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas.

D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, was arrested and charged with murder earlier this month. In a recent court brief, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has now accused him of dismembering the teenager with a chainsaw following a fatal stabbing. He has entered a not guilty plea to one count of murder, one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and one count of unlawful mutilation of human remains.

According to the prosecution's filing, the two began a sexual relationship in November 2023 when Rivas was just 13 and Burke was 18. Text messages revealed that Rivas had become jealous of Burke's other relationships, after he had suggested they had a future together. She eventually grew upset enough to threaten disclosure of information about their relationship that could end his music career and damage his life.

The brief alleges that Burke killed Rivas on April 23 of the previous year following a text argument. The filing states that shortly after her arrival at his residence, he stabbed her multiple times and allowed her to bleed out without attempting to contact emergency services or take her to a hospital.

To dispose of the body, prosecutors say Burke purchased a body bag and a blue inflatable pool. He allegedly placed Rivas's body in the pool to prevent blood from spilling onto his garage floor, then used a chainsaw and possibly other tools to sever her limbs. The brief notes that he amputated her left ring and pinky fingers, as her ring finger bore a tattoo of his name. Those fingers have not been located.

The filing continues that Burke placed her head and torso in the cadaver bag and her limbs in garbage bags, which he then put into the trunk of his Tesla alongside the cadaver bag. The body allegedly remained decomposing in the vehicle for several weeks or possibly months.

The Medical Examiner determined that Rivas died from two penetrating injuries to the torso, ruling her death a homicide on December 9, 2025.

Burke's legal team requested additional time to examine evidence, resulting in a postponement of the hearing from May 1 to May 26.