Courtrooms rarely hide the ugliest truths. The preliminary hearing for musician David Burke, widely known as the singer D4vd, exposed a devastating timeline of text messages, medical examiner findings, and harrowing police evidence. Prosecutors introduced records showing that Celeste Rivas Hernandez—the 14-year-old girl Burke is accused of killing—had been pregnant and undergone an abortion more than a year before her death.
The case has gripped public attention not just because of the suspect's emerging music career, but due to the grim details surfacing in a Los Angeles courtroom. Let's break down what actually came to light during the grueling testimony and why it matters for the unfolding legal battle.
The Text Messages and Early 2024 Records
Digital evidence presented by prosecutors paints a disturbing picture of a relationship that began years before the fatal incident. Text message exchanges retrieved from iCloud and iPhone backups revealed that Rivas Hernandez became pregnant when she was 13 years old.
In early January 2024, messages show Burke apologizing for putting her through the situation.
"Neither of us are capable of watching and taking care of the baby," Rivas Hernandez texted back. "It's for the best no?"
When Burke asked if the child was his, she confirmed it was. Subsequent messages tracked by investigators show the emotional toll the abortion took on the teenager months later, with texts reflecting deep distress and lingering trauma. For investigators, these digital archives establish the long-standing dynamic between the two, which prosecutors allege involved continuous sexual abuse beginning when Burke was 18 and the victim was 13.
Autopsy Findings and Medical Evidence
The legal proceedings also featured testimony from Dr. Grant Ho of the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner. He detailed the extreme difficulties in conducting the autopsy due to the severe degradation of the victim's remains.
Authorities discovered Rivas Hernandez's dismembered and decomposing body in September inside the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke. Investigators believe she was killed in April 2025, just a day before what would have been her 15th birthday.
Dr. Ho identified two primary sharp force wounds:
- One on the abdomen that pierced her liver.
- Another on the left chest that damaged her ribs.
While the defense pointed to the body's decomposition to raise questions about alternative causes of death—such as potential drug presence or self-inflicted injuries—the medical examiner noted a lack of typical hesitation marks associated with self-harm. Prosecutors maintain that the severe injuries would have caused fatal blood loss within minutes to an hour, alleging that Burke failed to intervene.
The Defense Strategy and Next Steps
Burke has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and unlawful mutilation of a body. His legal team has consistently maintained his innocence, pushing back against the prosecution's timeline and questioning the definitive nature of the autopsy reports and toxicology screens.
As the preliminary hearing nears its conclusion, the judge must decide whether sufficient evidence exists to send the case to a full trial. The emotional toll inside the courtroom has been immense, highlighted by family members leaving the room as graphic evidence and explicit photographs were described by law enforcement.
The legal system will now weigh the digital footprints, forensic pathology, and witness testimonies to determine accountability.
