George Anjay
WARNING: Readers may find details in this article distressing.
Disturbing text messages unearthed during a preliminary hearing have revealed that 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the alleged victim of singer D4vd, underwent multiple abortions prior to her death. The messages, presented in a Los Angeles court as evidence to determine if the artist, legally known as David Anthony Burke, should face trial for her murder last year, paint a grim picture of a relationship marked by underage sexual abuse and profound manipulation. Prosecutors allege that Burke, 19 at the time of the exchanges, ended Celeste’s life after she threatened to expose his alleged abuse and derail his burgeoning career. Burke has vehemently denied all charges of murder and sexual abuse.
The devastating nature of the relationship was laid bare through exchanges presented to the court. In June 2024, when Celeste was a mere 13 years old and Burke was 19, she texted him, "What [if] the first abortion didn’t work?" This chilling question, revealed by prosecutors, highlights the extent of the sexual exploitation and the desperate circumstances Celeste found herself in. Further messages from January 2024, shown in the Los Angeles court on Friday, depicted Burke apologizing to the young teen for "putting her through this." Celeste’s heartbreaking reply underscored the perceived necessity of their actions: "neither of us are capable of watching and taking care of the baby. it’s for the best no?" The grim reality of their situation was compounded by Burke’s callous question, which, according to testimony from Detective Corey Farell, was framed as advice from his mother: "also my mother always told me to ask this question if I was ever in this situation… it is mine right?" Celeste’s affirmation, "of course its yours David," served as a painful confirmation of the paternity and the burden placed upon her. The disturbing pattern continued in another text from June 2024, where Burke callously wrote, "Let’s let this abortion be the last one til we have the real one…" This statement suggests a twisted sense of normalcy and a chilling premeditation within their illicit relationship.
The prosecution’s case relies heavily on digital evidence, including iCloud data recovered from Burke’s iPhone. These messages, dating back to August 8, 2022, reveal an ongoing communication between Burke and Celeste when she was just 11 years old and he was 17. The gravity of the alleged abuse was further amplified by Detective Farell’s testimony that Burke’s device contained photos of the teenager during the period of the alleged sexual abuse. The emotional toll of these revelations was palpable in the courtroom, with Celeste’s mother, Mercedes Rivas Hernandez, becoming visibly distressed and leaving the court with her husband as details of some of the explicit images were described. Beyond the abusive content, Burke’s phone also contained conversations detailing plans for the pair to move in together, a clandestine arrangement they had dubbed "Operation Awesome." Despite a reported "breakup" in November 2024, their contact persisted, as outlined in a memo filed by prosecutors earlier this year. The prosecution alleges that a heated argument between Burke and Celeste on the night before her death stemmed from Burke’s infidelity with other women, further exacerbating the volatile dynamic of their relationship.
The medical examiner, Dr. Grant Ho of the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner, who conducted the post-mortem examination on Celeste, testified on Friday that determining the exact time of death was "extremely difficult" due to the advanced state of decomposition of her remains. This uncertainty was seized upon by the defense, who attempted to introduce the possibility of self-harm. However, the prosecution presented compelling evidence to counter this, with Detective Farell testifying that DNA from blood found in Burke’s Hollywood Hills home and garage conclusively matched Celeste.
D4vd, an artist who gained significant traction on TikTok with viral hits like "Romantic Homicide" and "Here With Me," was reportedly on tour when Celeste’s body was discovered in the front boot of his Tesla on September 2025, the day after she would have celebrated her 15th birthday. The discovery led to the immediate cancellation of his worldwide tour and a subsequent retreat from public life and social media. Burke’s arrest in April of this year followed a comprehensive investigation. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has formally charged Burke with seven criminal offenses, including murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and mutilation of remains. Prosecutors contend that Celeste was reported missing by her family and was last seen at Burke’s residence on April 3, 2025, a full five months before her remains were tragically found. The prosecution’s timeline alleges that Burke first encountered Celeste online when she was 11 and initiated sexual abuse when she was 13 and he was 18, a severe age disparity that underscores the predatory nature of their relationship.
Friday marked the fourth day of testimony in this critical pre-trial hearing, which has systematically unveiled the disturbing details of Celeste’s final months. Earlier revelations by prosecutors had already indicated that Burke had taken Celeste to London and Texas to meet his family, further embedding her within his life and escalating the alleged abuse. Testimony in the case is expected to resume on Monday, with further evidence and witness accounts anticipated to shed more light on the tragic events that led to Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s untimely death. The ongoing legal proceedings underscore the devastating consequences of underage sexual exploitation and the profound impact it can have on young lives, leaving behind a trail of shattered families and unanswered questions.
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