Los Angeles prosecutors have presented text messages in a preliminary hearing revealing that pop singer D4vd, born David Anthony Burke, had been in a secret relationship with 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez since she was 11. The relationship continued until her death, and Burke now faces charges of murder, child sexual abuse, and mutilation of human remains.
Relationship timeline and key revelations
The texts, stretching back to 2022, show Burke, then 18, and Celeste, then 13, exchanging messages that included dreams of marriage in Italy and having children. Burke allegedly wrote in June 2024, "i can't wait to move in tg without the cops bitching baby," according to Courthouse News. In February 2024, police visited Burke after finding his number in Celeste's phone log; he claimed she told him she was 18.
Prosecutors say Burke wanted to keep the sexual nature of their relationship secret. When Celeste asked in July 2024 if anyone knew they had intercourse, Burke replied, "Nope and I would like to keep it that way before we get married." The relationship was rocky, with Celeste expressing a desire for more seriousness, saying, "All we do is have sex and just hang out man i want more than that for myself."
Pregnancy, abortion, and growing tensions
In January 2024, Celeste became pregnant and had an abortion, which she later regretted. In August 2024, she wrote, "I don't like talking about it because it gets me really upset, but I'd do anything to have it back." Burke replied, "Let's end that there. I don't like talking to u when you're upset," adding that while the abortion "saddened" him, he did not "dwell on it."
The night before prosecutors say Burke killed Celeste in April 2025, they argued over text about his relationship with another woman. Celeste allegedly threatened to end his career. Prosecutors also presented evidence of Burke's recording label deal, suggesting a motive to silence her.
Legal proceedings and defense challenges
Burke has pleaded not guilty. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman stated, "What was presented by our office over the course of the last week is a small but illustrative fraction of the evidence investigators have accumulated that proves defendant Burke is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the brutal murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. This has been a parent's worst nightmare, hearing the ghoulish details of how their child was killed, dismembered and left as trash."
During the preliminary hearing, defense attorney Marilyn Bednarski questioned medical examiner Grant Ho, who performed Celeste's autopsy, asking if he could rule out that she might have been holding an instrument causing her stab wounds. Ho said he could not, but the autopsy did not indicate self-harm. Another defense attorney, Blair Berk, questioned a criminalist about why other items in the house were not tested for DNA, noting multiple people lived there.
Next steps and potential death penalty
Burke remains in custody without bail. His arraignment is set for 31 August, with a trial date yet to be announced. Hochman said he will consult with Celeste's family and Burke's lawyers before deciding whether to pursue the death penalty. The case has drawn significant attention from online communities, particularly on Discord, where Burke was known as a gamer before his music career.
