The D4vd preliminary hearing took a chilling turn Thursday, with testimony about the “heavily soiled” undergarments found with Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s decomposing remains.
Los Angeles Police Department criminalist Lisa LaHendro described photographs shown in court of Rivas Hernandez’s clothing, including the teen’s Forever 21 tube top, a pair of leggings, thong underwear, and Skechers socks.
“All of them were heavily soiled and had numerous insects,” LaHendro said of the clothing. The criminalist told the court the items were wet and had “a very strong smell to them.”
“They were in poor condition,” she explained.
On Tuesday, LAPD Det. Joshua Byers testified that Rivas Hernandez’s body had started to liquefy after being placed in plastic bags in the front trunk of a Tesla impounded at a Hollywood tow yard. He described the remains as “liquidy.”
Related: D4vd Hearing Day 2: Blood Evidence and Air Fresheners Dominate Testimony
D4vd, born David Anthony Burke, is accused of killing Rivas Hernandez, 14, whose dismembered remains were found in the Tesla registered to the singer in September 2025.
During Thursday’s testimony, LaHendro described herself as a trace analyst with more than two decades of experience. She testified that she examined cuts in a blue inflatable pool found in the garage of Burke’s Hollywood Hills home.
She said she compared cuts in the pool to blue fragments collected from Rivas Hernandez’s body by the medical examiner’s office. She concluded the fragments came from the pool.
Under cross-examination by the defense, LaHendro admitted that she conducted a visual comparison of the fragments but did not perform a more thorough microscopic examination.
Rivas Hernandez’s parents have been in the courtroom throughout the gruesome proceedings. The family’s attorney, Patrick Steinfeld, told reporters outside court the teen’s parents have been “horrified” by the testimony.
The attorney said he told the parents they did not have to attend the multi-day hearing, but they said they wanted to show support for their daughter.
Prosecutors allege Burke was engaged in an illegal sexual relationship with Rivas Hernandez and killed the teenager to protect his multimillion-dollar career.
The indie-pop performer was arrested on April 16, 2026, and charged with one count each of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
He has pleaded not guilty and remains jailed without bail. At the end of the preliminary hearing, a Los Angeles judge will determine if there is enough evidence to order Burke to stand trial.
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