D4vd’s iPhone contained ‘significant amount’ of images depicting child sex abuse, say prosecutors

Singer D4vd appeared in a Los Angeles court on Thursday (April 23, 2026) for a status hearing in the murder case of 14-year-old girl Celeste Rivas Hernandez. During the proceeding, prosecutors revealed that a search of the singer’s iPhone uncovered a “significant amount” of child pornography, though it remains unclear whether any of the material involved Rivas, according to reports.

Police allegedly found images depicting child sex abuse on his iCloud account, according to the BBC and The Guardian. Prosecutors said the images were discovered during the investigation into the killing of Celeste, whose dismembered and decomposed remains were found in September 2025 in the trunk of a Tesla registered to David Anthony Burke, also known as D4vd, which had been abandoned in the Hollywood Hills. A judge has set a preliminary hearing for May 1, 2026.

The singer was arrested by LAPD last Thursday (April 16, 2026), and prosecutors charged him on Monday (April 20, 2026) with murder in connection with the teenager's death. He was also charged with lewd and lascivious sexual acts with a person under 14 years old and the mutilation of a human body.


Prosecutors claimed that D4vd killed Celeste with a "sharp instrument," and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said that she died due to several penetrating injuries before having her arms, legs, and two fingers amputated, as reported by TMZ.

The D.A. claimed D4vd was having sexual relations with Celeste when she was under 14 years old. When she threatened to expose him and devastate his musical career, he invited her to his Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025, and killed her.

They also alleged that he later dismembered the body, placed the remains in two bags, and kept them in the trunk of his car for more than four months as they decomposed. During the hearing, prosecutors also revealed that a wiretap was used amid the investigation last year but provided no additional details.

The defendant, who was shackled and wearing an orange jail jumpsuit, remained calm and briefly addressed the judge, responding, “Yes, ma'am," as she explained the preliminary hearing process. His defense team, led by Blair Berk, argued that prosecutors had not yet turned over key evidence, while Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman explained the delay.

Prosecutors said three separate investigative grand juries were convened and indicated transcripts would be made available. They told the court they will be ready for the preliminary hearing next week and aim to proceed to trial within 60 days. The defendant pleaded not guilty earlier this week, and his attorneys have called on the district attorney’s office to present its evidence immediately.