Overview: Text messages shown at a Los Angeles pretrial hearing suggest singer David Anthony Burke (D4vd) exchanged messages with 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez about a pregnancy and abortion before prosecutors say she was murdered. Investigators presented iCloud data, alleged photos of abuse from Burke's device, and DNA from blood in his home and garage that matched the victim. Celeste's remains were found in the front trunk of Burke's Tesla in September 2025; Burke has pleaded not guilty to seven criminal charges, including murder and continuous sexual abuse of a child.
Texts Shown in D4vd Hearing Suggest Teen Was Pregnant and Had an Abortion Before Her Death
[AFP via Getty Images]
Warning: This article contains details that some readers may find distressing.
Text messages presented at a Los Angeles pretrial hearing indicate that singer David Anthony Burke (stage name D4vd) communicated with 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez about a pregnancy and an abortion in the months before prosecutors say she was killed. The messages and other digital evidence were shown as judges consider whether Burke should stand trial.
Key Evidence Presented
Prosecutors introduced excerpts of text conversations between Burke and Celeste, including a June 2024 message in which Celeste — then 13 — asked, "What [if] the first abortion didn't work?" Earlier messages from January 2024 included an apology from Burke for "putting her through this," and Celeste's reply that neither of them could care for a child and that abortion was "for the best." Prosecutors say Burke wrote in another exchange: "Let's let this abortion be the last one til we have the real one…"
Investigators recovered iCloud data from Burke's iPhone showing conversations dating back to 8 August 2022, when Celeste was 11 and Burke was 17. Los Angeles Police Detective Corey Farell testified that the phone also contained photographs that prosecutors say depict the teenager during the alleged abuse.
Forensic and Other Details
Detective Farrell testified that DNA from blood found in Burke's Hollywood Hills home and garage matched Celeste. The court also heard about messages the pair exchanged about moving in together — labeled "Operation Awesome" on Burke's device — and a memo filed by prosecutors said the couple "broke up" in November 2024 but remained in contact.
Celeste's remains were found in the front trunk ("frunk") of Burke's Tesla in September 2025, the day after she would have turned 15. Dr. Grant Ho of the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner testified that the condition of decomposition made it "extremely difficult to tell" precisely when she died; defense attorneys highlighted that uncertainty during questioning.
Charges and Procedural Status
Burke was arrested in April 2026 and has pleaded not guilty. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has filed seven criminal charges, including murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child and mutilation of remains. Prosecutors allege Burke met Celeste online when she was 11 and that the sexual abuse began when she was 13.
Friday marked the fourth day of testimony in the preliminary hearing; testimony is expected to resume on Monday.
Note: All allegations mentioned here are from court testimony and charging documents. Burke has pleaded not guilty and remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
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