Newly revealed text messages introduced during singer D4vd‘s preliminary hearing show that 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez became pregnant and underwent an abortion more than a year before her death, according to testimony presented in a Los Angeles courtroom.
Prosecutors allege that D4vd, whose legal name is David Burke, began sexually abusing Celeste when she was 13 years old while he was 18. They contend that he later killed her in April 2025 after she threatened to expose their relationship, which they say could have jeopardized his rapidly growing music career. Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including murder, continuous sexual abuse of a minor, and mutilation of human remains.
During Friday’s hearing, Los Angeles Police Detective Corey Farrell testified about a series of text messages recovered from Burke’s phone. One exchange from January 2024 discussed Celeste’s pregnancy and abortion.
According to the messages shown in court, Burke apologized for “putting her through this.” Celeste responded that neither of them was capable of raising a child and that ending the pregnancy was “for the best.” Burke later asked whether the baby was his, and Celeste replied, “of course it’s yours David.”
Prosecutors also presented photographs and additional messages that they say document the relationship between Burke and Celeste. Some images shown in court depicted the pair together, while investigators testified that dozens of additional explicit photographs involving the minor were recovered but were not displayed publicly because they allegedly constitute child sexual abuse material.
Investigators further testified that Celeste had “David” tattooed on one of her fingers, one of two fingers that had reportedly been removed before her body was discovered. Prosecutors argue this was part of an effort to conceal evidence connecting Burke to the victim.
The hearing is part of an ongoing preliminary proceeding in which a judge will determine whether there is sufficient evidence for Burke to stand trial. Prosecutors maintain that he stabbed Celeste to death after she threatened to reveal their relationship, while Burke’s defense team continues to deny the allegations and challenge the prosecution’s evidence.
