Fresh evidence presented in a Los Angeles courtroom has revealed text messages between singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, and 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the girl prosecutors say he murdered in 2025. The messages, introduced during Burke's preliminary hearing on Friday, include conversations about pregnancy, abortion and their relationship, which prosecutors argue began years before her death.

The hearing is intended to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for Burke to stand trial. He has pleaded not guilty to charges including murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child and mutilation of human remains. Prosecutors allege he began abusing Rivas Hernandez when she was 13 and he was 18, before killing her to prevent her from exposing the relationship as his music career rapidly gained momentum. His lawyers deny the allegations and maintain that he is innocent.

Texts reveal conversations about pregnancy and abortion

Among the evidence presented were iCloud messages recovered from Burke's iPhone, including exchanges dating back to August 8, 2022, when prosecutors say he was 17 and Rivas Hernandez was 11. Investigators argued the messages demonstrate the progression of their relationship over the following years.

One conversation from January 2024 focused on a pregnancy. Burke apologised to the teenager for "putting her through this."

She replied: "neither of us are capable of watching and taking care of the baby. it's for the best no?"

Burke then asked: "also my mother always told me to ask this question if I was ever in this situation … it is mine right?"

She responded: "of course its yours David."

Prosecutors also presented later exchanges that appeared to reference another abortion. In one June 2024 message, Burke wrote: "Let's let this abortion be the last one til we have the real one…"

Another exchange showed Rivas Hernandez reflecting on the emotional impact of ending the pregnancy.

In another message shown in court, she wrote, according to Los Angeles Times: "i killed my kid for you. id do anything to have it back… took a innocent life of a literal baby."

Court proceedings also included discussions about emergency contraception, with prosecutors arguing the messages suggested the pair had spoken repeatedly about pregnancy and abortion during what they allege was a relationship lasting roughly two-and-a-half years.

Also Read: Stabbed, dismembered, disposed: Gruesome allegations detail how D4vd killed Celeste Rivas

Relationship allegedly began when she was 11

According to prosecutors, the recovered messages support their claim that Burke's relationship with Rivas Hernandez began when she was still a child.

Detectives also testified that Burke's phone contained intimate photographs of the pair, which prosecutors say further support allegations that the relationship became sexual while she was underage.

The court additionally heard about conversations in which the pair discussed living together under a plan they reportedly called "Operation Awesome". Messages also referred to travelling together, and prosecutors have previously alleged Burke introduced Rivas Hernandez to members of his family during trips to London and Texas.

Another message shown in court suggested Burke had concerns about police scrutiny. In one exchange, he wrote: "I can't wait to move in tg without the cops bitching baby."

Earlier in the week, jurors were told that Burke had claimed during a February 2024 police interview that he believed Rivas Hernandez was 18.

Prosecutors allege the pair separated in late 2024 but remained in contact. They argue an argument over Burke's relationships with other women took place shortly before her death.

Emotional courtroom as photographs shown

As investigators described explicit photographs recovered from Burke's phone, Rivas Hernandez's parents became visibly distressed. Her mother left the courtroom in tears while details of some of the images were presented.

Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman briefly comforted the family before proceedings resumed.

Medical examiner details challenges in autopsy

Los Angeles County Medical Examiner Dr Grant Ho also testified on Friday, outlining the findings of the post-mortem examination.

He said Rivas Hernandez sustained two fatal sharp-force injuries, including one that pierced her liver and another that damaged her ribs. According to his testimony, the injuries could have resulted in death through blood loss over several minutes, possibly up to an hour.

However, Ho said the advanced decomposition of the remains made it impossible to establish the exact time of death, determine where the injuries were inflicted or conclude whether there had been a struggle.

Toxicology testing also produced limited answers. Initial screening suggested the possible presence of methamphetamine and benzodiazepines, but further analysis ruled out benzodiazepines while results for methamphetamine remained inconclusive. Ho testified there was insufficient evidence to determine that drugs contributed to Rivas Hernandez's death.

During cross-examination, defence attorney Marilyn Bednarski questioned whether decomposition could have affected the toxicology findings and suggested alternative possibilities, including overdose or self-inflicted injuries. Ho said the evidence did not support an overdose conclusion.

He also testified that self-inflicted stab wounds typically show hesitation marks, which were absent in this case, although he could not entirely eliminate every possibility.

Also Read: Who is d4vd? The viral 'Here With Me' singer at the center of a homicide investigation

Prosecutors say DNA and financial motive support case

Investigators have previously testified that DNA recovered from apparent bloodstains inside Burke's Hollywood Hills home and garage matched Rivas Hernandez.

Prosecutors allege Burke fatally stabbed the teenager in April 2025, dismembered her body and left her remains in the front trunk of his Tesla, where they were discovered after the vehicle was towed in September 2025.

They have also argued Burke had a strong motive to conceal the relationship as his music career accelerated. Financial records presented earlier in the hearing showed he earned at least $10 million between 2023 and 2025 while performing as D4vd.

The preliminary hearing, now in its fourth day, will determine whether the case proceeds to trial. Testimony is expected to continue on Monday.