Gruesome photos of Celeste Rivas’ decapitated corpse shown at D4vd murder trial as her parents watch in horror
Celeste Rivas’ parents watched in horror during a hearing for their daughter’s accused killer D4vd as horrific images of her decapitated and mutilated corpse were displayed in a court.
The 14-year-old’s family ignored their attorney’s request to look away as the shocking images were displayed in a Los Angeles courtroom during the first day of the singer’s preliminary hearing on Tuesday.
The devastated couple were later spotted crying in the hall of the courthouse after viewing their daughter’s severed limbs, head, torso and fingers allegedly found in the trunk of D4vd’s Tesla.
Illustration of a man in a suit speaking at a microphone, surrounded by sketches of forensic evidence including a chainsaw, a car with an open hood, bags, and “RT KNEE” and “CITY MORGUE” labels.
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Illustration of D4vd with curly hair and glasses in a yellow shirt, looking to the right of the frame, with documents related to the case.
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Victim Celeste Rivas was just 14 years old at the time of her death.GoFundMe
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An LAPD homicide detective provided disturbing details while testifying about finding Rivas’ body.
“There were maggots, there were flies,” recalled Detective Joshua Byers. “I don’t know how to describe the other liquid matter.”
Several photos showed the young girl’s dismembered body, including arms and legs in a trash bag, a head and torso in a body bag, and severed hands with missing fingers.
“Trunk was open and there was a partially unzipped body bag with torso and head,” Byers told the court. “Missing extremities at the time.”
Rivas’ parents sat only feet from D4vd as the evidence was displayed.
“They wanted to show strength and they’re here for Celeste, but it was extremely bad,” an attorney for the Rivas family, Patrick Steinfeld, said outside the courthouse Tuesday, adding that the teen’s mom broke down crying.
“They’re they’re at a loss of words and they’re just trying to do the best they can as parents,” he said.
D4vd’s murder trial was moved multiple times because of the substantial amount of new evidence uncovered by prosecutors — including lab reports, police reports, photographs, numerous videos, arrest reports and forensic evidence.
D4vd — real name David Burke — was arrested in dramatic fashion on April 16 when he was removed from his home in handcuffs, surrounded by LAPD officers.
Video footage obtained by The California Post showed the singer with his hands behind his back as he was led by law enforcement down a residential street in the Hollywood Hills.
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Illustration of David Anthony Burke, also known as D4vd, in an orange jumpsuit with his hands cuffed in a courtroom.AP Photo/Bill Robles
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Celeste Rivas with rapper D4vd
Following a monthslong investigation, D4vd was taken into custody on April 16.© California Post
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Celeste Rivas’ parents, left, arrive at court Tuesday.TMZ/BACKGRID
The singer was also charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances — lying in wait, murder of a witness to an investigation and murder for financial gain
He was also charged with lewd and lascivious sexual acts with an individual under 14 years old, and for mutilating the human remains of a body.
According to legal documents obtained by The California Post, D4vd ordered an Uber to deliver Rivas from her family home in Lake Elsinore to his Hollywood Hills home on the night of April 23, 2025.
He then stabbed her and stood by while she bled to death, prosecutors claim.
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Burke allegedly ordered a shovel from Home Depot the following day and had it delivered to his home by Postmates. About a week later, he ordered two chainsaws from Amazon that were delivered to his home, and on May 5, he allegedly ordered a body bag, heavy-duty laundry bags and a blue inflatable pool, according to the documents.
Burke allegedly placed Rivas’ body into the blue inflatable pool to prevent her blood from making a mess on his garage floor and used the chainsaw and possibly other tools to cut off her limbs, according to the documents.
The singer faces the death penalty. He’s pleaded not guilty to all charges.
