Texts shown in D4vd hearing reveal alleged pregnancy and abortion before Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s death

Texts shown during a Los Angeles pre-trial hearing for D4vd allegedly show that Celeste Rivas Hernandez had been pregnant and had an abortion before her death.

Prosecutors said the messages were recovered from the singer’s iCloud data and iPhone and were presented as part of the case to determine whether he should stand trial for the teen’s killing. D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, has pleaded not guilty to charges that include murder and sexual abuse.

In one exchange from January 2024, Burke apologized to the teen for “putting her through this,” according to messages shown in court. Celeste responded that neither of them were capable of watching and taking care of the baby and asked whether it was “for the best.” Burke then asked whether the baby was his, and Celeste replied that it was.

Prosecutors also pointed to a June 2024 message in which Burke wrote, “Let’s let this abortion be the last one til we have the real one…” They said the iCloud data included texts dating back to 8 August 2022, when Celeste was 11 and Burke was 17.

The court also heard that Burke’s phone contained photos of the teenager during the alleged sexual abuse, and that conversations about moving in together were saved under the name “Operation Awesome.”

Celeste’s mother, Mercedes Rivas Hernandez, became visibly emotional and left court with her husband after details of some of the images were described.

Dr Grant Ho of the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner testified that it was “extremely difficult to tell” exactly when the girl died because of the state of decomposition when her remains were found. Defense lawyers used that uncertainty to question whether she could have somehow harmed herself.

Los Angeles Police Detective Corey Farell said DNA from blood found in Burke’s Hollywood Hills home and garage matched Celeste.

Prosecutors say Burke met Celeste online when she was 11 and began sexually abusing her when she was 13 and he was 18. They also allege that he killed her after she threatened to expose the abuse and damage his career.

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 he was on tour. His worldwide tour was cancelled and he withdrew from public life and social media. Police announced his arrest in April 2026, and Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman filed seven criminal charges, including murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and mutilation of remains.

Prosecutors said Celeste was reported missing by her family and was last seen at Burke’s home on 3 April 2025, five months before her remains were discovered in the Tesla. Earlier testimony also said Burke took Hernandez to London and Texas to meet members of his family.

Friday was the fourth day of testimony in the pre-trial hearing, and testimony is expected to resume on Monday.