Warning: This article contains potentially distressing details about a fatal crime involving a minor.
Prosecutors revealed a series of text messages between 14‑year‑old Celeste Rivas Hernandez and singer D4vd (real name David Anthony Burke) during a Los Angeles pre‑trial hearing. The texts show that Celeste was pregnant and had had an abortion before her death, making the tragic case even more heart‑wrenching.
The evidence, recovered from Burke’s iPhone, traces back to August 2022 when the teenager was 11 and the singer 17. Over two years, the messages cover intimate discussions, a budding sexual relationship, plans for a future together and allegations of sexual abuse.
Prosecutors allege that Burke killed Celeste after she threatened to expose his abuse. He has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child and the mutilation of a body.
Notably, the texts include heated exchanges around abortion. Celeste’s message to Burke in June 2024 read, "What if the first abortion didn’t work?" She was 13 and he was 19. The two continued a dialogue about moving in together – dubbed "Operation Awesome" – before breaking up in November 2024.
The court heard that the case hinges on blurred lines between criminal and personal relationships. DNA evidence from a blood sample in Burke’s Hollywood Hills home was matched to Celeste, while a medical examiner testified that decomposition made it hard to determine the exact time of death.
In a shocking development, Celeste’s body was discovered inside the front boot of Burke’s Tesla in September 2025, a week after she would have turned 15. The discovery prompted a tour cancellation and an arrest announcement in April 2026.
These revelations underscore the urgent need for robust digital‑forensics protocols and child‑protection safeguards in the entertainment industry. With so many young creatives propelled to fame via platforms like TikTok, the risk of exploitation grows. Reporting mechanisms, mental‑health resources and community oversight may curb such tragedies and foster safer, more resilient creative economies.
