Musician D4VD to Stand Trial for Teen's Murder

Singer D4VD is set to stand trial for the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas, following a preliminary hearing that concluded this past Monday, July 27, 2026. The judge determined there was sufficient evidence to proceed with the case, with the trial slated to begin within 90 days. Arraignment is scheduled for August 31, 2026. Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman indicated that D4VD could face the death penalty, though a decision on pursuing it is pending.

The defense's strategy has drawn significant criticism, as they reportedly attempted to blame Celeste Rivas for her own death. This has been met with strong condemnation from her family and their legal representative, Patrick Steinfeld. Steinfeld described the defense's tactics as disturbing and an attempt to discredit the prosecution's evidence, noting that Rivas' family was horrified by the allegations that Celeste had lied about her age.

Steinfeld further argued that D4VD knew Rivas was a minor, referencing a welfare check from February 2024 where deputies allegedly informed him of her age. The situation gained further attention due to fake song releases on D4VD's Apple Music page, titled "I Did It," "I'm Sorry, I Love You, Celeste," and "I'll See You in Hell, Celeste," which were later revealed to be a hack. Rivas' family expressed relief that the case is moving forward to trial.