D4vd Murder Trial: Texts Reveal Celeste Rivas Hernandez Was Pregnant Before Death

Investigators in the murder case against D4vd have revealed that 13-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was pregnant and underwent an abortion more than a year before she was killed. The chilling details emerged during a preliminary hearing in Los Angeles, shedding new light on an escalating legal battle.

Court Testimony Exposes Text Message History and Pregnancy Details

During the second day of the preliminary hearing on Friday, July 24, prosecutors presented extensive iCloud data recovered from the iPhone of the defendant, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke. According to Los Angeles Police Detective Corey Farell and evidence reviewed by the court, text message exchanges dating back to August 8, 2022—when Hernandez was 11 and Burke was 17—revealed a relationship.

In early January 2024, transcripts show Burke apologizing for “putting her through this”. Hernandez responded, saying neither of them was capable of watching and taking care of a baby, adding that it was for the best. When Burke questioned if the child was his, Hernandez replied, “Of course it’s yours David.” A subsequent text message from June 2024 featured Burke writing to the teen, “Let’s let this abortion be the last one til we have the real one…”

Prosecutors are pressing forward with charges that Burke began sexually abusing Hernandez when she was 13 and he was 18. Legal authorities argue that the motivation for the slaying stemmed from Hernandez threatening to expose their relationship, which would have damaged a career that had earned the defendant millions of dollars.

Graphic Evidence and Forensics Paint a Grim Picture

The preliminary hearing, presided over by a judge tasked with determining whether the case proceeds to a full trial, has exposed a sequence of events. On the opening day of the hearing on Tuesday, July 21, the court was confronted with graphic photographs of the crime scene while Hernandez’s parents looked on from the gallery.

Homicide investigators previously testified that Burke purchased online tools, including a body bag, chainsaws, an inflatable pool, and a shovel, in the days after the teenager’s death. Dr. Grant Ho of the Los Angeles County Department Medical Examiner testified on Friday that determining an exact time of death was extremely difficult due to the state of decomposition when the remains were found last September inside the front boot of a Tesla registered to Burke.

Adding to the details, investigators testified that at least 11 air fresheners were found inside the vehicle alongside the human remains. Court exhibits also highlighted tattoos linking the accused and the victim. Prosecutors displayed images of a red-ink tattoo reading “Celeste” on Burke’s left ring finger and a “Shhh…” tattoo on his right index finger, matching a corresponding “Shhh…” tattoo found on Hernandez’s right index finger.

Burke has maintained a not-guilty plea to charges of murder and sexual abuse. His defense team has vowed to vigorously defend his innocence, asserting that evidence will show he did not kill Celeste. Burke previously told law enforcement that he was unaware Hernandez was a minor and claimed to have met the then-13-year-old in person only once.

Legal Stakes and Path Forward

As the preliminary hearing continues to unfold in Los Angeles, the presiding judge must weigh the digital evidence, medical examiner reports, and detective testimonies to decide if the case advances to trial. The investigation has also brought to light separate allegations involving child pornography discovered within the defendant’s digital accounts, further compounding the legal peril facing the singer.

The tragic loss of Celeste Rivas Hernandez—who was first reported missing in April 2024 before her remains were recovered from a Tesla discovered after it had been moved to an impound lot in LA—leaves a profound community impact.

What are your thoughts on how digital forensics are transforming modern criminal investigations? Share your perspective in the comments below.