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LOS ANGELES () — Graphic testimony continued Friday on day four in the preliminary hearing for singer D4vd, as a judge weighs whether there is sufficient evidence for him to stand trial in the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Prosecutors are seeking to prove D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, began sexually abusing Rivas Hernandez when she was 13 and he was 18, then stabbed her to death when she threatened to reveal their long sexual history and crater his career.
A Los Angeles Police Department detective testified about explicit photographs found on Burke’s phone that allegedly depicted sexual acts involving Burke and Rivas Hernandez. The detective also described numerous text messages exchanged between the two that discussed pregnancy and abortion, including some messages sent two months after Rivas Hernandez’s 13th birthday.
One message from Burke read: “let this abortion be the last one till we have the real one.”
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As the images and text messages were discussed in court, Rivas Hernandez’s mother began crying and her father looked down as the detective began describing the photos. Less explicit photos of the couple kissing and lying in bed together had been shown on a screen.
Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman came over to comfort the mother, Mercedes Martinez, and the couple got up and left the courtroom.
WATCH: More details on day 2 of singer D4vd’s preliminary hearing
Singer D4vd was back in a Los Angeles courtroom for his preliminary hearing in the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Burke is charged with murder, sexual abuse of a child and mutilation of a body. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and his attorneys maintain he is innocent.
WATCH: News’ Alex Stone reports on day 1 of singer D4vd’s preliminary hearing
A preliminary hearing is underway for singer D4vd as a judge considers whether there is enough evidence to put him on trial in the killing of Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Medical examiner testifies about teen girl’s fatal injuries
The day began with testimony from the medical examiner, who described the autopsy and the condition of Rivas Hernandez’s body when it was discovered. According to testimony, the body was so decomposed some of it had liquefied.
Rivas Hernandez’s body was discovered in a Tesla towed from the Hollywood Hills in September, nearly five months after authorities said Rivas Hernandez was killed.
The medical examiner testified that Rivas Hernandez’s arms and legs had been cut from her body using some type of power tool, though the examiner said the exact tool could not be determined because of the level of decomposition. Two fingers had also been severed, including one bearing a tattoo that read “David.”
Throughout the testimony, Burke remained stoic and showed no apparent emotion in court.
The preliminary hearing will determine whether prosecutors have presented enough evidence for Burke to stand trial on the charges.
Who is D4vd? Singer arrested in 14-year-old’s death
Financial witnesses have testified that Burke’s music had earned him at least $10 million between 2023 and 2025.
Under the name D4vd (pronounced “David”), he began writing and recording songs for YouTube videos he created of the video game Fortnite as a teen.
The music was a blend of indie rock, R&B and lo-fi pop and made him a phenomenon on TikTok, Soundcloud and Spotify, where his top songs, including his 2022 breakthrough “Romantic Homicide,” have more than a billion plays.
In 2023, he released two EPs and opened for SZA on tour. Last year, he performed at the Coachella music festival and released a full album that he was on tour promoting when the body was discovered.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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