Teen Charged in Singer’s Murder Had Abortion During Their Relationship
LOS ANGELES — Text messages presented in court on Friday revealed that Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the teenager accused of murdering singer D4vd, had an abortion during their relationship. The messages have garnered significant attention as the case unfolds.
Real name David Anthony Burke, D4vd is facing charges for the murder and dismemberment of a 14-year-old boy. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and illegal mutilation of a corpse. The singer appeared in court for a preliminary hearing to assess whether there is sufficient evidence for a trial.
The case took a grim turn when the teen’s body was discovered in the trunk of a Tesla belonging to D4vd in September. The singer was arrested in April under suspicions surrounding this incident.
During the court proceedings, investigators presented images and messages exchanged between the two, recovered during a search of their home. The documents contained explicit photographs of the couple, pictures taken inside the Tesla, and even an image that appeared to show an engagement ring, as well as tattoos that symbolized their relationship.
Detective Corey Farrell of the Los Angeles Police Department testified that the cell phone contained numerous explicit images depicting sexual acts between D4vd and Celeste. The text messages dated back to August 2022, when Celeste was only 11, and continued until late April 2025.
Farrell explained that the documents included references to past and future sexual encounters, various sexual positions, and planned meeting locations. They also discussed sensitive topics, including abortion and emergency contraception, indicating a sexual relationship that spanned from November 2023 to March 2025, during which Celeste was 13 and D4vd was 18 or 19 years old.
In a text exchange from November 2023, Celeste expressed concern about her menstrual cycle, mentioning, “If I’m pregnant, it’s not here yet.” Later communications included inquiries about Plan B emergency contraception and sentiments regarding their relationship’s direction. By March 2025, Celeste articulated her discomfort with their dynamic, asserting that their interactions centered around sex rather than a genuine relationship.
During the hearing, Dr. Grant Ho, the Los Angeles medical examiner who performed Celeste’s autopsy, provided critical testimony. He confirmed that multiple penetrating wounds led to her death, categorizing the manner of death as homicide. Ho noted that the injuries indicated she likely had been dead for several weeks, possibly following a visit from D4vd to pick her up.
The prosecution alleged that Burke killed Celeste to preserve his music career, claiming she had threatened him. In response, the singer’s defense lawyer stated that they would “vigorously defend David’s innocence.” The case will continue on Monday, where Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo will determine if there is enough evidence to proceed with a trial.
