Overview
- The multi‑day preliminary hearing opened July 21 as prosecutors sought to show probable cause that Burke, known as D4vd, killed 14‑year‑old Celeste Rivas Hernandez and concealed her dismembered body.
- Witnesses described blood‑detection chemistry that lit up garage floor mats, DNA matches tied to the victim, and blue plastic fragments embedded in remains that prosecutors say came from an inflatable pool.
- Documentary evidence includes Amazon orders placed under an alias for chainsaws, a body bag and a blue pool, plus location and phone data and the victim’s passport found near a Santa Barbara County site.
- Burke has pleaded not guilty and his lawyers have questioned the scope and handling of forensic testing, noting items such as jugs of fake blood and arguing investigators left testing gaps that could weaken the case.
- Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo will determine whether to bind Burke over for trial after the hearing ends and prosecutors have not yet said whether they will seek capital punishment if he is convicted.