Overview
- A Los Angeles judge began a multi‑day preliminary hearing on Tuesday to decide if prosecutors have probable cause to charge 21‑year‑old David Burke, known as D4vd, with first‑degree murder, sexual abuse of a child and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
- Prosecutors say their evidence includes DNA and blood stains found in Burke’s garage, surveillance and phone records, text messages, and purchase records showing chainsaws and other items tied to dismemberment and body disposal.
- Authorities say the victim’s decomposing, dismembered remains were found in September 2025 in a Tesla registered to Burke and that the final autopsy released in December showed multiple stab wounds consistent with homicide.
- Burke has pleaded not guilty and remains jailed without bail while his lawyers say they will vigorously defend his innocence and unsuccessfully tried to seal a prosecutors’ memo describing the case.
- The court process is being slowed by massive digital discovery uploads and a separate county inquiry into alleged unauthorized access to medical examiner files, and the judge’s probable‑cause ruling will shape whether and how the case moves to trial.