Court documents in the first-degree murder case against singer d4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, reveal that investigators recovered a March 2025 text message from 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez in which she expressed deep frustration with the nature of their relationship. In the message, she wrote,
“all we do is have sex and just hang out man I want more than that for myself.”
Prosecutors also recovered explicit photographs of Celeste, including images documenting her naked and engaged in sexual activity with Burke when she was 13 years old. These materials form part of the evidence supporting charges of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 alongside the murder allegation.
Burke, now 21, first met Celeste when she was 11 years old in 2022, according to the filings. Prosecutors allege the sexual relationship began in late 2023 when she was 13 and he was 18. Text exchanges between them included references to sex, pregnancy, and the use of emergency contraception. The messages also showed Celeste’s growing jealousy over Burke’s other relationships and her belief that he had promised her a future together. By early 2025, their communication continued even after an earlier breakup, with Celeste becoming increasingly upset and threatening to disclose details of the relationship, which prosecutors say she believed would end his rising music career and destroy his life.
On or about April 23, 2025, prosecutors claim Burke invited Celeste to his Hollywood Hills home amid an ongoing argument. They allege he stabbed her multiple times shortly after her arrival, allowing her to bleed out. In the days that followed, he allegedly purchased items online including chainsaws, a body bag, and an inflatable pool, then dismembered her remains in his garage before placing them in the front trunk of his Tesla. The decomposed remains, weighing about 71 pounds, were discovered in September 2025 when the vehicle was towed and impounded. Burke was arrested on April 16, 2026, and formally charged days later. He has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder with special circumstances, continuous sexual abuse of a child, lewd acts with a minor under 14, and mutilation of human remains.
A preliminary hearing has provided additional details on the digital evidence. Prosecutors described recovering a significant amount of child sexual abuse material from Burke’s phone and linked iCloud account. Forensic experts continue to review the full volume of data, which includes explicit images and videos corroborating the alleged sexual contact with Celeste starting at age 13. The court filings emphasize that Celeste’s threat to go public created a motive tied directly to protecting Burke’s professional success, including tours and an upcoming album release that was later canceled.
Newly resurfaced old video footage shared on X by user @sogiddy shows one of Burke’s producers casually asking him,
“Are you still dating that minor?”
in clear reference to Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The clip highlights apparent awareness of the underage relationship within Burke’s inner circle at the time. Replies to the post express outrage over the nonchalant tone of the question and what many interpret as broader knowledge of the situation among those close to the singer, with numerous commenters calling for authorities to investigate potential enablers who may have failed to report concerns to law enforcement.
Defense attorneys maintain Burke’s innocence and dispute the prosecution’s interpretation of events, arguing the case requires full presentation of evidence at trial. This resurfaced footage adds to the public scrutiny surrounding the environment in which the alleged abuse occurred. It raises pointed questions about responsibility and oversight in creative teams that interact closely with young fans. For more on Burke’s recent court requests ahead of hearings, see D4vd Requests Haircut and New Clothes Before Preliminary Hearing.
This case raises serious questions about power imbalances in relationships involving young fans and emerging artists in the music industry. At its core stands the vulnerability of a 14-year-old girl who, according to the texts, sought emotional connection beyond physical encounters yet found herself entangled in a dynamic that allegedly escalated to violence when she demanded accountability. The presence of child sexual abuse material on the devices, combined with the producer’s recorded comment, adds another layer of concern regarding patterns of behavior that may extend beyond this single victim and the apparent normalization of red flags within the circle.
For the music community, the allegations serve as a sobering reminder that fame and talent do not exempt individuals from rigorous scrutiny when interacting with minors. Families and fans alike deserve transparent processes that prioritize victim dignity while ensuring due process for the accused. Related coverage on the early stages of the investigation includes Singer d4vd Arrested in Connection with 14-Year-Old Celeste Rivas’ Murder.
Further proceedings, including a scheduled May 2026 hearing, will determine how much of the digital and physical evidence reaches open court. Public interest remains high given Burke’s prior success with tracks that resonated widely with younger audiences. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office continues to build its case around the timeline of texts, purchases, vehicle data, and forensic matches from the garage.
Those seeking official case information can review updates through the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s media release on the charges. A detailed timeline of events from the Associated Press provides comprehensive background on the investigation.
The tragedy of Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s death underscores the need for stronger safeguards around artist-fan interactions and swift accountability when exploitation is suspected. As the legal process unfolds, the focus must remain on the facts presented in court and the pursuit of justice for a young life cut short. For additional context on the broader implications in the music scene, read D4vd Interview: Cryptic Hints & Murder Allegations Surrounding Celeste Rivas Case.
