Judge Charlaine Olmedo found probable cause after a five‑day preliminary hearing and ordered D4vd—born David Anthony Burke—to be held without bail. “The people have met their burden on all counts,” Olmedo stated, while noting that the legal threshold at this stage is lower than at a full trial. The 21‑year‑old, who rose to fame with viral hits such as “Romantic Homicide,” has pleaded not guilty to all three charges. Prosecutors claimed the evidence was overwhelming, with Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman saying “all of the allegations have been proved way beyond the standard required.”

According to the prosecution, Burke began a sexual relationship with Hernandez when she was 13 and he was 18. In April 2025, shortly before the release of his debut album, she threatened to expose the relationship. On 23 April 2025, Burke allegedly paid for an Uber to bring her to his Hollywood home; her final text message read, “girly pop i’m almost there open ur door if ur home.” Prosecutors say he stabbed her to death upon her arrival and then attempted to conceal the crime by purchasing chainsaws, an inflatable pool and a portable incinerator. Hernandez’s decomposing body was discovered in September 2025 in the boot of his Tesla.

Defence attorneys argued the murder charge should be dismissed. “There’s no evidence that Mr. Burke harbored a deliberate intent to kill Miss Hernandez,” said his lawyer Marilyn Bednarski, describing the communications as showing no history of violence. Attorney Blair Berk added that “there was no evidence of deliberate intention to kill.” The defence presented text messages in which Hernandez threatened Burke and argued she had repeatedly insisted on visiting him. Silverman countered, “there’s nothing in this case that sounds like an accident,” and accused the defence of trying to “dirty up the victim.”

Burke remains in custody. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s office is still evaluating whether to seek the death penalty, which is available upon conviction. The next hearing, an arraignment on the charges, is scheduled for 31 August.