Singer D4vd accused of killing 14-year-old after texts reveal pregnancy

Los Angeles prosecutors presented text messages and iCloud data in a hearing showing that Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the 14-year-old at the center of the case, was pregnant and had an abortion before her death, officials said. The messages were introduced as part of a judge’s consideration of whether David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, should stand trial for the teen’s killing.

Prosecutors said the texts include a June 2024 exchange in which Celeste, then 13, asked Burke, who was 19 at the time, “What [if] the first abortion didn’t work?” In a January 2024 message shown in court, Burke apologised for “putting her through this,” and Celeste replied that neither of them were capable of caring for a baby and that ending the pregnancy was “for the best.”

The prosecution also cited a June 2024 text from Burke stating, “Let’s let this abortion be the last one til we have the real one…,” and noted iCloud data recovered from his iPhone containing messages dating back to 8 August 2022, when Celeste was 11 and Burke 17.

Police found Celeste’s body in the front trunk of Burke’s Tesla in September 2025, the day after she would have turned 15, while the singer was on tour, prosecutors said. Burke’s worldwide tour was cancelled and he retreated from public life and social media. Authorities announced his arrest in April of this year.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has filed seven criminal counts against Burke, including murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child and mutilation of remains, according to prosecutors. Celeste’s family reported her missing and said she was last seen at Burke’s Hollywood Hills home on 3 April 2025, five months before her remains were discovered.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

The court record presented by prosecutors links the defendant and the victim through long-term messages, including references to pregnancy and abortion. Testimony and digital evidence were used to establish chronology and the nature of the communications between Burke and Celeste. Charges filed by the district attorney reflect allegations of sexual abuse beginning when Celeste was a minor and subsequent violent criminal counts.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• Prosecutors showed texts and iCloud data indicating the victim was pregnant and had an abortion before her death.
• Messages date back to August 8, 2022, when Celeste was 11 and Burke was 17, according to prosecutors.
• Burke faces seven criminal counts, including murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child and mutilation of remains; Celeste was found in Burke’s Tesla in September 2025.