Texts between singer D4vd and Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the 14-year-old he is accused of murdering, reveal she had been pregnant and had had an abortion before her death.
The messages were shown during a hearing in Los Angeles on Friday where a judge is deciding whether David Anthony Burke – the singer's legal name – should stand trial for the teen's death last year.
“Texts shown in court reveal singer D4vd's alleged murder victim, 14, had been pregnant and had an abortion.”
"What [if] the first abortion didn't work?" Celeste texted Burke in June 2024, according to prosecutors. She was 13 at the time; he was 19.
Prosecutors say Burke killed Celeste after she threatened to reveal he had been abusing a minor and destroy his career. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and sexual abuse.
In an exchange from January 2024, Burke apologised to the teen for "putting her through this", according to messages shown in court. 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?"
Celeste responded: "of course its yours David", according to testimony from a detective.
The court heard that in another text sent in June 2024, Burke wrote: "Let's let this abortion be the last one til we have the real one…"
Prosecutors presented iCloud data from Burke's iPhone showing texts back to 8 August 2022, when Celeste was 11 and he was 17. The device also contained photos of the teenager during the alleged sexual abuse, prosecutors and Los Angeles Police Detective Corey Farell said.
Celeste's mother, Mercedes Rivas Hernandez, became visibly emotional and left court with her husband as details of some photographs were described.
Burke's phone showed conversations about moving in together, which they called "Operation Awesome".
The pair "broke up" in November 2024 but stayed in contact, according to a prosecution memo. Prosecutors allege they argued the night before her death over Burke's relationships with other women.
Dr Grant Ho of the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner, who conducted the post-mortem, testified it was "extremely difficult to tell" exactly when Celeste died because of the state of decomposition when her remains were found.
Lawyers for the defence seized on that uncertainty, questioning whether the teenager could have harmed herself.
The judge will now decide whether there is enough evidence to send Burke to trial.