Sources tell ABC News that charges will be filed on Monday against pop singer D4vd in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Last Fall, the teen’s dismembered body was found in the trunk of a Tesla registered to the singer, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke.
D4vd was arrested on Thursday in connection with Celeste’s death. Sources told ABC News the arrest is based on evidence and probable cause that was developed. It was not an indictment. Los Angeles police said the case will be presented to the district attorney’s office on Monday for filing consideration.
Eyewitness News learned the Medical Examiner ruled the teen’s death a homicide.
RELATED: Timeline of investigation into killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez
D4vd has been arrested on suspicion of killing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Here’s timeline of how the investigation unfolded.
A Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who spoke to Eyewitness News said we can expect to see some fireworks in the case on Monday, and the major issue at the arraignment will be whether or not singer D4vd stays in custody. For now, he’s being held without bail.
On Monday, LAPD is expected to present its murder case to the L.A. County District Attorney for charges.
R.J. Dreiling, an L.A. criminal defense attorney, says the prosecutor has two ways they can keep D4vd in custody — by filing charges that are death penalty-eligible, or by arguing for no bail, stating that their case is strong enough and D4vd could be a safety or flight risk if released.
On the defense side, they could argue for scheduled bail so the singer can be released, arguing there’s no possibility D4vd could flee due to his fame status.
READ MORE: Who is D4vd? Singer arrested in 14-year-old’s death started as video game streamer
Singer D4vd’s rising career has now been overshadowed by his arrest in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Either way, multiple arguments will be made on both sides.
“The issue with this case is there’s no real dispute that the car was registered to D4vd. The question is whether or not the DNA they recovered from the car can circumstantially prove he was somehow involved in her death. I think that’s why it’s been some time between the discovery of the body and his arrest, is that they’re carefully picking apart and bringing together all the evidence. We’ll have some answers soon, whether or not he was involved or whether or not he wasn’t involved.”
In a statement to ABC7, D4vd’s attorney said his client is innocent and did not kill Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
“Let us be clear – the actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death,” the statement read. “There has been no indictment returned by any grand jury in this case and no criminal complaint filed. David has only been detained under suspicion. We will vigorously defend David’s innocence.”
Attorneys for the family of Celeste say they will fully participate in the upcoming criminal court proceedings and plan to attend the arraignment on Monday. The family is expected to make their first public statement through their attorney outside of the courthouse.
