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D4vd murder trial: Texts reveal teen victim had pregnancy and abortion

Messages shown in court allege Celeste Rivas Hernandez, 14, had been pregnant and undergone an abortion prior to her death. Prosecutors claim singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, murdered the teenager after she threatened to expose their alleged relationship.

  • Text messages presented in a Los Angeles court indicate Celeste Rivas Hernandez, 14, had been pregnant and had an abortion.
  • Prosecutors allege D4vd (David Anthony Burke) killed Celeste after she threatened to reveal alleged abuse.
  • The court heard messages from June 2024 where Celeste, then 13, questioned if a 'first abortion didn't work'.
  • Burke pleaded not guilty to charges including murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and mutilation of remains.
  • Celeste's body was discovered in Burke's Tesla in September 2025, the day after her 15th birthday, after she was reported missing in April 2025.

Text messages presented in a Los Angeles court have revealed that Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the 14-year-old allegedly murdered by singer D4vd, had been pregnant and undergone an abortion before her death. The messages were shown during a hearing to determine if the singer, legally known as David Anthony Burke, should stand trial for the teenager's death last year.

Prosecutors cited a message from June 2024, in which Celeste, then 13, texted Burke asking, "What [if] the first abortion didn't work?" Burke, who was 19 at the time, is accused by prosecutors of killing Celeste after she threatened to expose their alleged relationship and potentially damage his career. He has entered a plea of not guilty to charges of murdering and sexually abusing the girl.

Further messages from January 2024, displayed in court, showed Burke apologising to Celeste for "putting her through this." Celeste reportedly responded, "neither of us are capable of watching and taking care of the baby. it's for the best no?" A detective's testimony also noted Burke asking, "also my mother always told me to ask this question if I was ever in this situation … it is mine right?" to which Celeste replied, "of course its yours David."

Another text from Burke to Celeste in June 2024 read, "Let's let this abortion be the last one til we have the real one…" Prosecutors presented iCloud data recovered from Burke's iPhone, showing exchanges between him and Celeste dating back to August 2022, when she was 11 and Burke was 17. Authorities allege Burke met Celeste online when she was 11 and began sexually abusing her when she was 13, at which point he was 18.

D4vd, who gained prominence on TikTok with hits like 'Romantic Homicide' and 'Here With Me', was on tour when Celeste's body was discovered in the front boot of his Tesla in September 2025, the day after she would have turned 15. His worldwide tour was cancelled, and he largely withdrew from public life. Police announced his arrest in April this year. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has filed seven criminal charges against Burke, including murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and the mutilation of remains. Celeste was reported missing by her family and was last seen at Burke's Hollywood Hills home on 3 April 2025, five months before her remains were found.

Why this matters: This high-profile case involving a popular music artist and serious allegations of abuse and murder highlights critical issues around child safety, online interactions, and accountability within the entertainment industry.

What this means for you: What this means for you: This case, though unfolding in the US, underscores the global concerns about the safety of young people online and the potential for exploitation by individuals in positions of influence, echoing conversations around safeguarding in the UK.

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