The Final Text Messages Between D4vd and Celeste Rivas Hernandez Before He Was Accused of Killing Her — The Conversation Contains 333 Words
Final 333-Word Text Exchange Between D4vd and Celeste Rivas Hernandez Revealed as Prosecutors Detail Their Last Conversation
The murder case involving singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, has taken another dramatic turn after prosecutors revealed the final text message exchange between him and 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez during a preliminary hearing in Los Angeles. The conversation, consisting of approximately 333 words, was presented as key evidence as prosecutors argued that the messages reveal the deteriorating relationship between the pair in the hours before Celeste was allegedly killed.
According to prosecutors, the text conversation began with an argument over Burke’s friendship with another young woman. Celeste accused him of valuing the other relationship over theirs, expressing feelings of betrayal and frustration. Burke denied her accusations, insisting that she had misunderstood the situation. As the exchange escalated, the messages became increasingly emotional, with both sides attempting to defend their positions. Prosecutors contend that the argument exposed growing tensions that had been building for months.
Investigators told the court that Celeste eventually threatened to expose Burke’s alleged illegal relationship with her if he continued seeing the other woman. Court documents state that she warned she would “end your career and your life,” a message prosecutors believe demonstrates the motive behind the alleged killing. Authorities argue Burke feared the relationship would become public just days before the release of his debut album, potentially destroying both his personal reputation and his rapidly growing music career.
The following day, prosecutors said the tone of the conversation changed dramatically. Celeste contacted Burke again, telling him she wanted to meet in person and give him “one more chance” to tell her the truth. Burke then arranged for an Uber to transport her from her home in Lake Elsinore to his residence in West Hollywood. Throughout the evening, he exchanged messages updating her on the ride and later instructed her that the gate was open and the front door was unlocked. Investigators believe those would become the final messages she ever received.
According to investigators, Uber records showed Celeste arrived at Burke’s home shortly after 10:00 p.m. Prosecutors allege she was killed within minutes of entering the residence. They further claim that after her death, Burke continued sending text messages and placing calls to her phone asking where she was, despite allegedly knowing she was already dead. Prosecutors argue these communications were part of a deliberate effort to create the appearance that she had never arrived at his home, thereby concealing the crime.
The prosecution also presented additional digital evidence recovered from Burke’s electronic devices. Investigators testified they uncovered thousands of messages exchanged between the two over an extended period, as well as explicit images and other material that prosecutors say support allegations of an illegal sexual relationship that began when Celeste was underage. Authorities also introduced evidence involving online purchases allegedly connected to the disposal of her remains, forensic findings from Burke’s residence, and DNA evidence that they claim links him directly to the crime.
Defense attorneys challenged the prosecution’s interpretation of the evidence, arguing that the text messages show an emotionally volatile relationship rather than proof of premeditated murder. They emphasized that arguments between the two were frequent and maintained that the prosecution has not conclusively established Burke’s intent. Burke has pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
At the conclusion of the preliminary hearing, the judge ruled that prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial. Burke remains in custody without bail while awaiting his next court appearance. As the investigation continues, the final 333-word conversation between Burke and Celeste has become one of the prosecution’s most significant pieces of evidence, offering jurors a chilling glimpse into the final hours before the teenager’s disappearance and alleged murder.
