Disturbing new forensic details have surfaced during preliminary court proceedings in Los Angeles, shedding stark light on the relationship between multi-platinum recording artist D4vd—legal name David Anthony Burke—and the 14-year-old homicide victim he is accused of murdering. During a July 24 preliminary hearing, prosecutors presented a mountain of digital evidence recovered from Burke’s mobile devices, revealing that the young victim had become pregnant by the musician when she was just 13 years old—a full year before her tragic death. The evidence, presented jointly by Detective Corey Farell and Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman, comprised hundreds of text logs and digital photographs spanning from November 2023 through March 2025.
“Let This Abortion Be the Last One”
The text exchanges recovered by investigators depict a troubling timeline in early 2024. In one message, Burke inquired about when Celeste Rivas Hernandez would be undergoing a procedure to terminate a pregnancy.
When the teenager confirmed the appointment was scheduled within two days, Burke pressed further about the paternity, writing:
“Also my mother always told me to ask this question if I was ever in this situation.. it is mine right?”
Rivas Hernandez reassured him, replying “of course” it was his.
Subsequent messages shown to the court highlighted Burke’s reaction to the upcoming procedure, including one text where he wrote to the 13-year-old:
“Let this abortion be the last one till we have the real one.”
Prosecution teams believe the pregnancy termination occurred in January 2024, placing Rivas Hernandez at 13 years old at the time of the procedure.
A Grim Discovery in Los Angeles
The digital records form a critical foundation for the prosecution’s timeline leading up to the murder investigation.
Roughly a year after those text messages were exchanged, law enforcement officers discovered the dismembered remains of Rivas Hernandez placed inside the back of a Tesla vehicle registered directly under Burke’s legal name.
As the preliminary proceedings continue in Los Angeles, investigators are relying heavily on the vast digital archive retrieved from Burke’s phone to reconstruct the dynamics of their relationship and establish accountability in one of the city’s most alarming criminal trials.
As preliminary proceedings continue in Los Angeles, forensic investigators have presented damning physical evidence recovered from the Hollywood home of singer D4vd (David Anthony Burke), detailing the gruesome environment where authorities believe 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was murdered and dismembered.
Los Angeles Police Department criminalist Samantha Tosch testified that DNA extracted from bloodstains found inside Burke’s garage returned a strong, definitive match for Rivas Hernandez.
The blood evidence was discovered across multiple everyday items stored in the residential garage, including a rubber floor mat, a rowing machine, and a Tesla vehicle charger.
A Horrific Discovery in the Hollywood Hills
The physical evidence connects directly to the discovery of Rivas Hernandez’s remains in September, roughly five months after law enforcement officials believe she was killed.
Her body was uncovered inside a Tesla towed from a Hollywood Hills property. According to forensic testimony, her arms and legs had been severed from her torso. Investigators noted that two of her fingers had also been deliberately cut away—including one bearing a tattoo that read “David.”
In addition to physical evidence at the scene, digital forensics experts presented disturbing materials retrieved from Burke’s electronic devices:
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Forensic Imagery: Detectives recovered nearly 50 photographs from Burke’s phone depicting the underage victim naked or showing the pair engaged in sexual activity.
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iCloud Evidence: Investigators previously reported locating a “significant amount” of child sexual abuse material stored across Burke’s personal iCloud account.
Threat of Exposure as a Potential Motive
Court documents filed by prosecutors point to a stark financial and professional motive behind the violent crime.
According to case files, Rivas Hernandez had threatened to go public with damaging information regarding their relationship—information Burke reportedly feared could “end his career and destroy his life.”
Burke has formally entered a plea of not guilty to all charges.
Resources for Support
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse, exploitation, or domestic violence, confidential support is available 24/7. Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN) at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit rainn.org.