D4vd's last text with Celeste Rivas Hernandez shown in court after he’s accused of murdering teen
The final text exchange between Celeste Rivas Hernandez and her alleged killer, musician D4vd, has been shared in court.
The rapper has been charged with the murder of 14-year-old Rivas, whose body was discovered last September in the trunk of a Tesla vehicle owned by D4vd, which had been moved to a Hollywood tow yard after being abandoned in the hills.
A preliminary hearing began in Los Angeles last week, concluding on Monday (27 Jul), where Los Angeles Police Department robbery-homicide detective Corey Farrell gave testimony.
As reported by PEOPLE, he detailed a series of SMS texts from D4vd - real name David Anthony Burke - to Celeste in the years leading up to her death, including the last message he ever sent to the teenager.
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It came after prosecutors accused D4vd of fatally stabbing Celeste - with whom he was also having an illegal sexual relationship, which began when he was 18 and she was 13 - during an argument over his friendship with another woman.
In one message, the victim wrote to D4vd on 22 April 2025: "And u rlly saying youd [sic] end ur friendship just to be friends w her over me is disturbing and disgusting to me on a deeper level david."
The musician reportedly responded: "what did i say id [sic] end my friendship with you for her."
Celeste replied that she'd 'end your career and your life'.
The following day, after Celeste asked to see D4vd, telling him he had '1 more chance', and threatening to 'leak all of the s**t' about him if he saw the woman again, the singer ordered an Uber for her to his residence.
Celeste subsequently texted him to say, 'girly pop im almost there open your door if you are home', after which he let her know 'gate open door unlocked'.
Prosecutors believe Celeste died inside D4vd's West Hollywood home between 10.10 pm and 10.31 pm that night - two days prior to the release of D4vd's debut album.
Despite this, he texted the teenager's phone in the hours that followed, asking where she was, and telling her, 'ur scaring me'.
The prosecution argue that D4vd's phone and car left his property at around 11.31 pm that evening and travelled to an area in Santa Barbara, where a transport worker eventually found Celeste's passport in January of this year.
The court had already heard texts between D4vd and Celeste during which they discussed a pregnancy and an abortion, as well as birth control, Plan B, the emergency contraceptive pill, and breaking up.
Farrell previously revealed that over 40 images showing child sexual abuse involving Celeste had been found on the rapper's phone following his arrest, including several showing them engaging in sexual activity.
Prosecutors claim D4vd dismembered Celeste's body using items he'd ordered from Amazon and Home Depot, including chainsaws, a shovel, cadaver bags, laundry bags and a mop and bucket, as well as a 'burn box', which was found inside his property.
Los Angeles Police Department detective Joshua Byers testified about the latter: "It’s a device that can be used as a mini crematorium type to burn items to nothing."
Following the hearing, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo ruled that D4vd would go on trial for Celeste's murder.
A timeline of Celeste Rivas Hernandez's death and the allegations against D4vd
August 2022
Detectives claim D4vd first started messaging Celeste Rivas Hernandez when she was 11 years old.
February 2024
Police conduct a welfare check at a home D4vd was living in in West Hollywood during a period when Hernandez is missing. He allegedly shows detectives pictures of her on his phone, telling them: “She told me she was 18, everyone is saying she’s 13.” They do not find Hernandez in the home, and are satisfied D4vd has cooperated. Hernandez later returns to her parents, CNN reports.
April 2024
Celeste Rivas Hernandez, aged 13, is reported missing by her family from Lake Elsinore, California. It is the third time she is reported missing that year, but tragically she is never seen by her parents again.
June 2024
Prosecutors claim D4vd texted Celeste, saying: “What [if] the first abortion didn't work?" At the time, she is 13 and he is 19, the BBC reports.
22 April 2025
Police say Hernandez and D4vd argued over text over the singer’s friendship with another woman. Hernandez threatened: “I will end your career and your life.”
23 April 2025
Investigators believe this is the day Celeste was killed.
24 April 2025
Prosecutors claim D4vd ordered a shovel from Home Depot.
25 April 2025
D4vd’s debut album Withered is released. It debuts at No. 13 on the Billboard chart, with 30,000 units sold in the first week. He tells The Hollywood Reporter that 80 percent of the album was made on his phone and he recorded vocal takes in his sister’s closet.
1 May 2025
Prosecutor claim D4vd took delivery of two chainsaws
5 August 2025
D4vd begins a world tour, starting with a gig in Del Mar, California.
8 September 2025
Celeste’s severely decomposed body is found in the front trunk of a Tesla linked to D4vd. His representatives say he is cooperating with the investigation.
9 September 2025
D4vd performs as planned at The Fillmore Minneapolis, despite the ongoing investigation around Rivas’ death.
17 September 2025
Police search a rental property where D4vd was living in Doheny Drive, L.A. Later in court, the prosecution claims presumptive traces of blood were found.
18 September 2025
Celeste’s family create a fundraiser and release a statement, which reads: “As many of you know, Celeste Rivas Hernandez has been identified as the body found last week. She was a beloved daughter, sister, cousin, and friend. Her family is heartbroken and devastated by this tragic loss. Any funds you are able to donate are greatly appreciated.”
More than $24,000 is raised for them.
19 September 2025
D4vd cancels the rest of his world tour, and the deluxe version of his debut album is not released as planned.
24 November 2025
The Los Angeles medical examiners officer receives a court order preventing any details of Celeste’s death from being released to the public.
16 April 2026
D4vd is arrested and held without bail.
20 April 2026
D4vd is arraigned and pleads not guilty to all charges.
22 April 2026
The autopsy report reveals that Celeste died from multiple 'penetrating injuries'. She had significant wounds to her torso, likely caused by a sharp object, and one wound penetrated her liver.
21 July 2026
D4vd’s preliminary hearing begins. It is expected to last three to seven days, with prosecutors aiming to establish probable cause to move forward to a trial.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence regarding the welfare of a child, contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, 10am-8pm Monday to Friday. If you are a child seeking advice and support, call Childline for free on 0800 1111, 24/7.
Rhianna Benson