A Los Angeles court heard new testimony about private messages allegedly exchanged between singer D4vd and Celeste Rivas Hernandez when she was 13 years old.
During the fourth day of D4vd’s preliminary hearing on July 24, LAPD Detective Corey Farell testified that data recovered from the singer’s phone included discussions about pregnancy, abortion and contraception.
D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
His attorneys maintain that he is innocent.
The Messages Discussed a Pregnancy and Abortion
Farell testified that Burke and Celeste discussed a possible pregnancy in messages exchanged in early 2024, approximately two months after her 13th birthday. According to testimony reported by The Associated Press, the conversation included questions about whether they could care for a child and references to an abortion.
One message attributed to Burke stated: “Let this abortion be the last one till we have the real one,” according to ABC7 Los Angeles. Other exchanges presented in court reportedly showed Celeste struggling emotionally with the decision afterward. Prosecutors introduced the messages as evidence concerning the nature and timeline of the alleged relationship.
A Detective Described Evidence Recovered From Burke’s Phone
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Farell said investigators recovered messages spanning from November 2023 through March 2025 from Burke’s phone and associated electronic accounts. He also described nearly 50 sexually explicit images involving Celeste, some of which prosecutors characterized as child sexual abuse material. Most of the graphic images were not publicly displayed.
Celeste’s parents left the courtroom after being warned about the testimony. Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman approached and comforted Celeste’s mother before the family stepped outside. Less explicit photographs shown in court reportedly depicted Burke and Celeste kissing, lying together and displaying matching tattoos.
Farell also testified that Burke’s phone lock screen showed the pair embracing. Prosecutors allege that Burke first communicated with Celeste when she was approximately 11 and began sexually abusing her when she was 13. Burke was 18 when the alleged sexual relationship began in 2023.
Prosecutors Say the Messages Support Their Timeline
Prosecutors allege that Burke killed Celeste at his Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025, after she threatened to expose the alleged abuse and damage his growing music career. Her decomposed and dismembered remains were discovered on Sept. 8, 2025, inside the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke after the vehicle was impounded at a Hollywood tow yard.
The digital evidence allegedly included discussions about living together, disagreements about their relationship and a plan Celeste called “Operation Awesome.” She was reported missing by her parents in February 2024. Prosecutors have also pointed to body-camera footage from an earlier encounter in which Burke allegedly told a sheriff’s deputy that he had met Celeste only once and did not know she was younger than 18.
The Preliminary Hearing Does Not Determine Guilt
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The criminal complaint also contains special-circumstance allegations involving the murder of a witness, financial gain and lying in wait. Prosecutors have not yet announced whether they will seek the death penalty.
The judge must decide whether probable cause exists to require Burke to stand trial, not whether the prosecution has proved the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. As of the conclusion of testimony reported on July 24, the judge had not issued a final ruling.