D4vd murder case: Disturbing texts with 14-year-old emerge

Disturbing text exchanges between American singer D4vd and the 14-year-old girl he is accused of killing have emerged in court, revealing discussions about pregnancy, abortion and keeping their alleged relationship secret.

D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, has been charged with first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and mutilation of human remains over the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The messages were presented on Friday during Burke’s preliminary hearing at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles.

In one exchange from June 2024, Celeste, then 13, asked Burke: “What [if] the first abortion didn’t work?” Burke was 19 at the time.

In another message sent that month, Burke wrote: “Let’s let this abortion be the last one til we have the real one…”

Messages presented in court showed that about five months earlier, Burke had apologised to Celeste for “putting her through this.”

“Neither of us are capable of watching and taking care of the baby,” Celeste replied. “It’s for the best no?”

When Burke asked whether the pregnancy was his, Celeste responded: “Of course it’s yours David.”

Celeste also expressed guilt over the abortion in another exchange. When she asked whether anyone knew about their alleged sexual relationship, Burke replied that nobody did and said he wanted it kept secret until they were married.

Los Angeles Police Detective Corey Farell testified that investigators confirmed Celeste had an abortion in January 2024.

Data recovered from Burke’s iPhone showed that messages between the pair dated back to August 8, 2022, when Celeste was 11 and Burke was 17. Some of the conversations recovered from Burke’s iCloud account concerned contraception and pregnancy.

Farell also testified that investigators found sexually explicit photographs and videos allegedly involving Burke and Celeste on the singer’s phone. The material was not displayed in court but was described as evidence of the alleged sexual abuse.

The detective said Burke’s lock screen carried an intimate image of the pair and that some of the recovered footage appeared to have been recorded inside the singer’s bedroom.

Celeste’s parents left the courtroom while the evidence was being described. Her mother, Mercedes Martinez, was reportedly sobbing as she walked out, prompting prosecutor Beth Silverman to tell the family: “I’m sorry.”

Burke reportedly remained largely expressionless during the testimony and continued looking forward as Celeste’s mother left the courtroom.

The hearing also heard that Burke and Celeste discussed plans for the teenager to run away from home and live with him in February 2024. The plan was named “Operation Awesome” in messages recovered from Burke’s phone.

Celeste was reported missing that month but later returned home. Prosecutors said she disappeared again before her eventual death.

Messages presented in court indicated that Burke and Celeste ended their relationship in November 2024 but remained in contact. Prosecutors alleged that Burke continued to manipulate the teenager until March 2025.

In one message, Celeste complained that their relationship revolved around sexual activity and spending time together, adding that she wanted more for herself.

Prosecutors said messages from April 22, 2025, showed that Celeste had become jealous over Burke’s alleged relationships with other women. She allegedly threatened to reveal damaging information about their relationship that could end his career and “destroy his life.”

At the time, Burke was preparing to release his first studio album and had what prosecutors described as an emerging multimillion-dollar career.

Prosecutors alleged that Burke sent an Uber to transport Celeste from her family’s home in Lake Elsinore to his rented Hollywood Hills property at about 10.10pm the following night.

He is accused of stabbing the teenager multiple times and failing to help her. Prosecutors further alleged that he removed her left finger because it carried a tattoo of his name.

Burke allegedly placed Celeste’s body inside the front trunk of his Tesla and parked the vehicle on a street near his Doheny Place residence.

Her body was discovered on September 8 after the car was towed and police received complaints about a foul smell coming from the vehicle.

Burke was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department on April 16 and has remained in custody without bail.

His preliminary hearing, which will determine whether prosecutors have presented sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial, will continue on Monday.