Gory images of American singer D4vd’s alleged teenage victim have been shown in court in front of her horrified parents.
On the first day of a preliminary hearing, prosecutors revealed shocking photographs of the crime scene showing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s remains after they were discovered in a Tesla belonging to David Anthony Burke, 21, in Los Angeles last year.
Just days after the teenager was killed, the singer had ordered a body bag, chainsaws and a shove online, a homicide detective told the court.
The 21-year-old has pleaded not guilty to sexually abusing and murdering the 14-year-old girl.
Although gruesome details surrounding Celeste’s death have previously been outlined in court documents, yesterday marked the first time photographs had been revealed to the court.
The evidence was shown as part of the prosecution’s push to convince the judge to allow the case to proceed to trial.
Prosecutors allege the teenager was stabbed to death by Burke on May 5 last year before he dismembered her body using a chainsaw.
They told the court he carried out the murder after she threatened to publicly reveal his relationship with a child and damage his singing career.
Prosecutors allege the teenager was stabbed to death by Burke on May 5 last year before he dismembered her body
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A lawyer representing Celeste’s family said the parents had braced themselves for the grisly images, but they were something they could never truly prepare for.
Attorney Patrick Steinfeld told the BBC: “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.
“They’re at a loss for words and they’re just trying to do the best they can.”
A lawyer representing Celeste’s family said the parents had braced themselves for the grisly images
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The lawyer said he warned Celeste’s mother that she did not have to be present in the courtroom for the photographs, but she insisted on staying “to show support” for her daughter.
He described the ordeal as a “parent’s worst nightmare”.
Mr Burke was seen in court wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, with his wrists and ankles in shackles.
He was heard quietly saying “Good morning, Your Honour”, and “Yes, Your Honour” to the judge after greeting his defence team.
Celeste’s remains were discovered in a Tesla belonging to the singer in a Los Angeles car park last year
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Detective Joshua Byers, who discovered Celeste’s body, told the court he looked inside a bag found in the vehicle belonging to singer, and discovered a torso and a head.
He said he discovered another bag underneath, which contained several more limbs belonging to the teenage girl.
The police officer also told those in attendance that Celeste’s face had composed so severely that she could not be identified.
The hearing is scheduled to last for a number of days, with the prosecution expected to call in further witness to establish sufficient evidence for the judge allow the case to move to trial.
