Detective Corey Farell revealed during a Los Angeles court hearing that D4vd’s phone contained explicit photos and texts showing the singer impregnated a 13-year-old girl, pressured her to have an abortion, and later allegedly murdered her. Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s body was found in a Tesla towed from the Hollywood Hills in September, nearly five months after authorities said Rivas Hernandez was killed.
Detective Corey Farell of the Los Angeles Police Department described in court Friday how D4vd’s iPhone—seized during a search of the singer’s home—contained graphic evidence of his relationship with Celeste Rivas Hernandez, including photos of the pair naked, texts discussing an abortion, and plans to move in together
under the code name Operation Awesome.
The singer, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, has pleaded not guilty to murder, sexual abuse of a child, and mutilation of a body, and his lawyers have said he is innocent.
Texts and Photos Reveal Abortion and Plan for “Operation Awesome”
Farell testified that Burke and Rivas Hernandez exchanged over 50 photos of the pair engaging in sexual acts, including images of Rivas Hernandez wearing a ring and a tattoo of the name “David” on her finger. Burke, in turn, had the name “Celeste” tattooed on his own finger, according to the detective. The messages, which spanned from November 2023 to March 2025, included discussions of pregnancy and abortion. In one exchange, Burke asked, wen u gonna get it done,
to which Rivas Hernandez replied, “two days.”
The couple also planned to move in together in February 2024, which Rivas Hernandez called Operation Awesome.
Burke allegedly paid a teenager to get her a new phone to avoid detection, according to a court filing by Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman. Rivas Hernandez was reported missing by her parents in February 2024, but Burke claimed he had only met her once and didn’t know her age, a statement contradicted by the texts.
Rivas Hernandez later expressed regret over the abortion, writing, I care abt u i killed my kid [for] you,
and I don’t like talking about it cause it gets [me really] upset but id do anything to have it back.
The texts also revealed Burke’s desire to flee the U.S. with Rivas Hernandez to get married in Italy, as he feared being pursued by authorities.
Autopsy Details and Legal Battle Over Cause of Death
Dr. Grant Ho, a forensic pathologist with the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner, testified that Rivas Hernandez died from two sharp force wounds to her upper body—one to her abdomen that penetrated her liver and another on the left chest that damaged her ribs. However, the autopsy faced challenges due to the body’s advanced decomposition. Ho stated, It’s extremely difficult to tell,
when asked about the exact time of death, adding that the body had been dead “at least weeks” but possibly “months.” Authorities believe she was killed in April 2025; her body was discovered last September.
The defense argued that the toxicology report’s findings were inconclusive, pointing to a low alcohol level and conflicting results for methamphetamine and benzodiazepines. Dr. Ho acknowledged that decomposition could affect test accuracy, stating, I cannot say that it played any role in the death.
The prosecution, however, asserted in a court filing that Burke stood by while she bled out,
citing the severity of the wounds.
Rivas Hernandez’s mother, Mercedes Martinez, was visibly upset during the testimony and left the courtroom as the detective described the photos. Silverman, the prosecutor, later approached her to offer comfort. Burke’s lawyers have said he is innocent.
Legal Proceedings and Unresolved Questions
The preliminary hearing, where a judge will decide if Burke should go on trial in Rivas Hernandez’s killing, centered on the credibility of the evidence. Prosecutors emphasized the graphic nature of the texts and photos, while the defense focused on the uncertainty surrounding the autopsy and toxicology results. Burke’s lawyers have said he is innocent.
The case has drawn significant public attention, with Rivas Hernandez’s family expressing grief over her death. Her body was found in a Tesla towed from the Hollywood Hills in September, nearly five months after authorities said Rivas Hernandez was killed. The court’s decision on whether to proceed with a trial will determine the next phase of the legal battle.
As the case unfolds, questions remain about the full extent of Burke’s actions and the circumstances surrounding Rivas Hernandez’s death. The court’s final ruling will likely shape the trajectory of the investigation and any potential prosecution.
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