Explosive text messages allegedly sent between Celeste Rivas and singer D4vd show she threatened to end his career the day before she was murdered, according to prosecutors. The messages were presented in court Monday during the preliminary hearing for David Burke, known as D4vd, who is charged with the murder of 14-year-old Rivas.
According to prosecutors, Rivas and Burke had a heated exchange on April 22, 2025. Rivas reportedly expressed jealousy over another woman Burke had been spending time with. "Bro, just bump her into no friends, acquaintance. Friends with her over me is disturbing and disgusting to me on a deeper level David," Rivas allegedly texted.
Burke responded by questioning Rivas's statement about ending their friendship. "When did I say I’d end my friendship with you for her," he replied. Rivas then texted back, "Bro, I said I didn’t want to be friends with you if you want to be friends with her." Rivas accused Burke of having the other woman at his Hollywood home. "Oh my god, my f— god. I will kill you, I will f— kill you. She was in my seat. I will strangle you to death. I will end you career and life. I will tell my dad," she allegedly wrote.
The following day, April 23, 2025, Burke arranged for an Uber to take Rivas to his home, where he allegedly stabbed her to death. Prosecutors have stated that Burke feared Rivas would ruin his career by publicly revealing their alleged relationship.
Earlier in the proceedings, text messages presented on Friday suggested Rivas was 13 years old when she allegedly had an abortion after Burke, then 18, got her pregnant. The alleged messages, discussed in January 2024, show Burke apologizing, "I’m sorry again baby i didnt want to ever put you through this." He also questioned paternity, writing, "My mom said I have to ask this question, don’t get offended, but is it mine?" Rivas allegedly confirmed, "Of course it is David."
Messages from the next day, January 9, 2024, reportedly indicated the abortion had been completed.
The preliminary hearing also included testimony from Medical Examiner Dr. Grant Ho, who described Rivas's dismembered limbs, stating each leg had two dismemberment sites, possibly inflicted by a power tool. Graphic photos of Rivas's hands and fingers, some of which were removed, as well as images of her decomposing body, were shown to the court. Rivas's parents exited the courtroom before the autopsy photos were displayed.
Defense attorneys for Burke suggested Rivas could have committed suicide, citing two wounds on her body. However, Dr. Ho testified that such wounds typically show "hesitation marks," which were absent in this case. He confirmed Rivas's cause of death was homicide due to "multiple penetrating injuries."
Blood found in Burke's garage tested positive for Rivas's DNA. Prosecutors allege Burke stabbed her and later dismembered her body in a kiddie pool with a chainsaw in his Hollywood Hills mansion. Fragments from the pool were reportedly found on Rivas's body.
The hearing began with the display of graphic photos of Rivas's decapitated body, found in the trunk of Burke's Tesla. Her family, present in the courtroom, reportedly viewed the images of her severed limbs, head, torso, and fingers.
LAPD criminalist Lisa Lahendro testified, describing the clothing found with Rivas's body, including a Victoria's Secret thong, Forever 21 tube top, and leggings.
Burke faces charges including first-degree murder with special circumstances, such as lying in wait, murder of a witness, and murder for financial gain. He is also charged with lewd and lascivious sexual acts with an individual under 14 and mutilating human remains. He could face life in prison or the death penalty.