Evidence presented in court suggests that singer David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, impregnated Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a teenage girl, and urged her to have an abortion when she was 13. The incident occurred a year before she was allegedly killed and her body dismembered. This emerged during the preliminary hearing for Burke’s murder and sex abuse charges.
Alleged Relationship Details
Los Angeles Police Detective Corey Farell testified about Burke’s relationship with Hernandez. He and Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman showed the court photographs and text messages from Burke’s phone. These messages, spanning November 2023 to March 2025, included discussions about sexual interactions, a potential pregnancy, and an abortion appointment set for January 2024. Additionally, photos captured from Burke’s phone showed Hernandez naked or engaged in sexual acts with Burke.
Plans and Disappearance
The text messages revealed Burke and Hernandez planned to move in together in February 2024. Hernandez was reported missing that same month. Court-displayed messages included Burke asking about an abortion appointment, and Hernandez confirming the pregnancy was his.
Courtroom Display and Reaction
Before presenting the photos, Silverman urged Hernandez’s parents to leave the courtroom due to the graphic content. Hernandez’s mother was heard crying as she left. Prosecutors allege Burke killed Hernandez in April and placed her dismembered body in his car trunk, discovered months later. They suggest Hernandez was last seen at Burke’s home after she threatened to reveal their relationship.
Evidence and Investigations
Burke met Hernandez online when she was about 11, and began abusing her in 2023, according to prosecutors. An autopsy revealed that she died from two stab wounds. Dismembered remains were found in September 2025 in a Hollywood tow yard.
The prosecution claims Burke murdered Hernandez to prevent her from damaging his rising music career. They allege Burke bought tools under aliases to dispose of Hernandez’s remains, including chainsaws and a burn cage.
A DNA expert linked blood stains in Burke’s garage to Hernandez. Despite this, Burke’s defense challenged the autopsy’s conclusions, questioning if a struggle was involved or if Hernandez handled the weapon. No murder weapon was recovered.
Burke faces life imprisonment or death if convicted. The ongoing preliminary hearing will determine if sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial.
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