Full Breakdown
D4vd Preliminary Hearing Reveals Texts About Abortion, Abuse, and Murder
7/25/2026, 9:05:01 PM
Core Event: Preliminary Hearing Unveils Graphic Evidence
During a Los Angeles County Superior Court preliminary hearing, prosecutors presented iCloud data, photographs, and forensic testimony to determine probable cause against David Anthony Burke—known as TikTok singer D4vd—for the murder and sexual abuse of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Burke has pleaded not guilty to seven charges, including murder and continuous sexual abuse of a child. The hearing featured graphic images of the victim’s dismembered body recovered from the trunk of Burke’s Tesla in September 2025 and text messages from August 2022 through April 23 2025 discussing pregnancy, abortion, and ongoing sexual activity.
Background & Context
Burke met Hernandez online when she was about 11. Texts recovered by LAPD Detective Corey Farrell show a sexual relationship from November 2023, when Hernandez was 13, until March 2025. The messages include explicit images, discussions of “Plan B,” and a February 2024 “Operation Awesome” move-in plan. Prosecutors allege Hernandez threatened to expose the abuse, prompting Burke to kill her in April 2025.
Timeline
- August 2022 – First iCloud messages between Burke and Hernandez.
- June 10 2024 – Text: “What if the first abortion didn’t work.”
- April 3 2025 – Hernandez reported missing, last seen at Burke’s home.
- April 23 2025 – Final text exchange recorded on Burke’s phone.
- September 2025 – Dismembered remains discovered in Burke’s Tesla trunk.
Data & Statistics
- Victim: Celeste Rivas Hernandez, 14 at death.
- Suspect: David Anthony Burke, 19 at time of alleged killing.
- Charges: Seven counts, including murder and continuous sexual abuse of a child.
- Evidence: Hundreds of photographs, nearly 50 explicit images, and DNA matches linking blood in Burke’s Hollywood Hills garage to Hernandez.
Official Statements & Responses
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman asserted that Burke killed Hernandez to protect his music career after she threatened exposure. Medical examiner Dr. Grant Ho testified that the cause of death was multiple penetrating injuries, likely sustained before death, and that decomposition prevented a precise time-of-death determination. Defense attorney Marilyn Bednarski questioned the autopsy’s conclusiveness, suggesting the possibility of self-inflicted injury or a struggle.
Criticism & Opposition
Burke’s attorneys have pledged to “vigorously defend David’s innocence,” emphasizing the lack of a recovered murder weapon and uncertainties raised by Dr. Ho’s testimony.
Verbatim Quotes
- “What if the first abortion didn’t work.” — Celeste
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The exact time of Hernandez’s death remains disputed. Dr. Ho indicated she may have been deceased for “at least weeks,” possibly as early as late April 2025, but could not pinpoint a specific moment. Defense counsel highlighted the absence of “hesitation marks” and the inability to rule out self-inflicted injury, creating a factual gap for the judge to consider.
What’s Next
Judge Charlaine Olmedo will reconvene on Monday to decide whether prosecutors have met the probable-cause threshold to move the case to trial. The decision will determine if the textual and forensic evidence proceeds to a full criminal trial.
