D4vd Hearing: Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s Family Attorney Says Graphic Photos of Teen’s Body Are A ‘Parent’s Worst Nightmare’

Patrick Steinfeld, attorney for Celeste Rivas Hernandez‘s family, spoke out after the first day of the preliminary hearing in the murder case against singer D4vd .

Prosecutors presented crime scene photos on Tuesday (July 21) showing Celeste’s dismembered remains – a set of graphic images Steinfeld described as “deplorable” and “a parent’s worst nightmare.”

The 14-year-old’s body was found in September 2025 inside a Tesla registered to D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke .

Steinfeld told the BBC after the hearing:

“This is the first time they’ve heard this evidence in detail, and they’re horrified. There was an image of Celeste’s torso and her head in the trunk of the car, and the prosecutor had to ask what it was because you could not tell it was a head. It was absolutely deplorable.”

He spoke with TMZ and described the condition of the remains:

“The body had liquefied and looked like ‘mush.’ The alleged evidence presented against the singer is ‘damning.'”

Celeste’s mother, Mercedes Martínez, reportedly sobbed throughout the hearing. The parents had been warned about the graphic images but insisted on staying.

Steinfeld added:

“I encouraged them to step out for a short period of time, and they decided no, they wanted to be here to show they’re supporting their daughter. It’s a parent’s worst nightmare.”

Burke has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and unlawful mutilation of human remains .