A pre-trial hearing in Los Angeles has revealed text message exchanges between singer D4vd and Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the teenager he is accused of killing. The messages, recovered from the defendant’s iPhone, indicate the girl experienced multiple pregnancies and abortions during her relationship with Burke, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke. Text exchanges from January 2024 show the two discussing pregnancy and abortion, with Hernandez noting they were not equipped to care for a child. In June 2024, Burke allegedly wrote about letting “this abortion be the last one til we have the real one.”
Prosecutors allege Burke, a TikTok performer known for viral hits including “Romantic Homicide,” killed Hernandez after she threatened to expose allegations of abuse and damage his career. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to murder and sexual abuse charges. According to court testimony, iCloud data from Burke’s phone contained messages dating back to August 2022, when Hernandez was 11 years old and Burke was 17. The device also allegedly contained photographs taken during the abuse. Hernandez’s remains were discovered in the front boot of Burke’s Tesla in September 2025, five months after she was reported missing from his home in April 2025.
During Friday’s hearing, the fourth day of testimony, Los Angeles police detective Corey Farell testified that DNA evidence from blood found in Burke’s Hollywood Hills home and garage matched Hernandez. Medical examiner Dr. Grant Ho stated it was difficult to determine the precise time of death due to the decomposition state of the remains. Defense attorneys questioned whether there was uncertainty regarding the circumstances of her death. Burke faces seven criminal charges, including murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and mutilation of remains. His worldwide tour was cancelled following the discovery of Hernandez’s body, and he was arrested in April. Testimony is scheduled to resume on Monday.
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