On the opening day of a preliminary hearing, prosecutors in Los Angeles presented graphic photos of the body of 14‑year‑old Celeste Rivas Hernandez in a Tesla owned by singer D4vd.
The images showed a fragmented torso in a body bag, a severed head, and dismembered limbs, shocking Celeste’s parents and the courtroom audience.
Burke, 21, allegedly ordered the tools – a chainsaw, body bags and an inflatable pool – shortly after Celeste’s death, and prosecutors claim he killed her to silence her threat of exposure.
Attorney Patrick Steinfeld said his clients wished to attend the proceedings but were warned beforehand about the disturbing content.
During the proceedings, the judge was shown photographs of tattoos linking Burke and Celeste, including a “Celeste” ink on Burke’s finger and a matching “Shhh…” mark on the teen’s finger.
The hearing is expected to last several days, with additional witnesses to be called to establish evidence for a jury trial. The courtroom, crowded with journalists, YouTubers and concerned citizens, filled the small downtown chamber early for the public viewing of the case’s key evidence.
