Horrific images in D4vd trial are ‘worst nightmare’ for Celeste Rivas Hernandez family.

It was an ordeal for Celeste’s parents that they had prepared for but could not have fully anticipated, her lawyer said.

The family’s lawyer, Patrick Steinfeld, told the BBC after the court hearing: “It’s the first time they’ve heard this evidence in detail and they’re shocked.”

“There was a picture of Celeste’s body and her head in the trunk of the car, and the prosecutor had to ask what it was because you couldn’t say it was a head. It was very sad.

“They are at a loss for words and trying to do everything they can.”

Steinfeld said he was forewarned that graphic images of Celeste’s mother, Mercedes, would be shown.

“I told her she should not be in court for this part of the hearing.”

But she said, ‘I want to be here to support Celeste.’ She just put her head down and started crying.

He said he advised both parents that once they saw the images, they would never be able to “unsee” them.

“I encouraged them to come out for a short time, and they decided no – they wanted to be here to show their daughter that they supported her.”

“They’re a very private family,” he added. “It’s a parent’s worst nightmare.”

The small Los Angeles courtroom was packed long before Tuesday’s hearing.

Journalists, YouTubers, TikTok creators and members of the public entered a lottery for one of the limited seats to watch the proceedings.

There was a palpable sense of anticipation in the room.

The incessant chatter stopped when Burke entered.

He was wearing an orange prison uniform and shackled at the hands and ankles.

His handcuffs were removed, but he remained chained to the chair throughout the trial.

He smiled briefly at the members of the defense team before quietly responding to the judge with “good morning, your honor” and “yes, your honor.”

After Detective Joshua Byers began his testimony, the atmosphere changed dramatically.

Before showing each graphic image, prosecutor Beth Silverman repeatedly turned to Celeste’s parents, warning them of what they might see and asking if they wanted to look away.

At one point, Celeste’s mother was comforted by fans sitting next to her.

The girl’s body was found in the trunk of the Tesla in September 2025 in a Hollywood tow yard.

Detective Byers opened a body bag in the car and discovered a decomposed human skeleton, including a torso and head, with another black trash can underneath with severed limbs.

He told the court that Celeste’s body had decomposed and her face was no longer recognizable.

The court also heard evidence of purchases made to Burke’s address after Celeste’s death, including chainsaws, body bags and inflatable pools.

Investigators said the items were used to remove and hide Celeste’s body.

The court heard prosecutors contacted Burke and Celeste about the tattoo.

The judge was shown photographs of Burke’s left ring finger tattooed with the words “Celte” and his right index finger with the words “Shhh…” tattooed.

Prosecutors showed a photograph of Celeste with “Shhh…” tattooed on her right index finger and another hand with her ring and little finger cut off.

The preliminary hearing will last several days, and prosecutors plan to call additional witnesses in hopes of providing enough evidence to move the case to a jury trial.