Evidence Presented in Court Against Singer D4vd in Teen’s Murder Case

The legal proceedings against singer D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, continue as he faces charges related to the killing and dismemberment of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. D4vd has entered a plea of not guilty to allegations of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a minor under 14, and illegal mutilation of human remains. The court is currently holding a preliminary hearing to decide if enough evidence exists to take him to trial.

Celeste’s remains were discovered in September inside a Tesla owned by the singer. D4vd was apprehended in April. In court, text messages and photographs retrieved from his phone were displayed. These included explicit sexual content, images inside the Tesla, photos resembling an engagement ring, and tattoos relevant to their relationship.

The court session on Friday saw D4vd appear emotionless as the visual evidence was presented. Detective Corey Farrell from LAPD testified about numerous explicit images found on the phone. These images depicted sexual activities between D4vd and Celeste. Texts dating from August 2022 to April 2025 were reviewed. They highlighted discussions of meeting points, sexual activities, and contraception use.

Farrell emphasized that discussions on abortion and emergency contraception were frequent in their messages. The sexual relationship reportedly spanned from November 2023 until March 2025, when Celeste was 13 years old and D4vd was aged 18 or 19. On November 2023, Celeste expressed anxiety about a missed period in a text, stating unwillingness to proceed with the pregnancy if one existed. In December, she asked about using emergency contraception.

Continuing in January 2024, messages revealed an apology from D4vd for their situation, with Celeste agreeing that neither could care for a child. They referenced a planned abortion for January 10. By June, Celeste again brought up concerns about a previous abortion’s effectiveness. A reply from D4vd suggested wishing for no more abortions until they were ready for children. July messages mentioned contemplating an abortion-related gift.

September 2024 texts reflected Celeste’s concern about pregnancy, accompanied by a photograph showing both holding a Plan B package. During a press briefing in April, a portrait of Celeste was shown by the Los Angeles County District Attorney.

Text messages also indicated discussions about marriage and future life together, although strains emerged by late 2024. Arguments and reconciliations became apparent in messages, with Celeste later voicing discomfort with the relationship so focused on sexual encounters.

Dr. Grant Ho from the Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s office testified on Celeste’s autopsy results. The death was ruled a homicide, with multiple penetrating injuries. The exact time of death couldn’t be confidently established due to body decomposition but was suggested to have occurred weeks earlier, possibly since April 25.

Dr. Ho described postmortem disfigurement and highlighted life-threatening injuries to the abdomen and chest, suggesting they were inflicted before death. District Attorney Nathan Hochman accused Burke of committing the crime to protect his music career allegedly threatened by the deceased. Burke’s defense attorneys committed to a robust defense of his innocence. Proceedings are due to continue on Monday, with Judge Charlaine Olmedo set to determine the sufficiency of evidence for proceeding to trial.