D4vd Celeste Rivas texts show threats before alleged killing, court hears
Messages read in court showed Celeste Rivas threatened D4vd a day before prosecutors allege he killed her; he has pleaded not guilty.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
The D4vd Celeste Rivas texts became a central flashpoint Monday as messages were read during the singer’s preliminary hearing, according to TMZ, showing the 14-year-old threatening him one day before prosecutors allege he killed her.
The messages, described in court testimony cited by TMZ, focused on D4vd’s relationship with former friend Aysia Collins. Rivas questioned why he wanted to keep speaking with Collins and reacted angrily after learning Collins had been at his Hollywood Hills home.
According to the testimony, Rivas wrote to D4vd, “Oh my f***ing God, I swear to God, I’ll kill u.” TMZ reported that the messages also included threats to strangle him, mutilate his penis, and “end” both his career and his life.
What did the D4vd Celeste Rivas texts say?
The messages presented in court showed a volatile exchange one day, followed by a calmer conversation the next, according to TMZ. In the later messages, D4vd appeared to arrange an Uber to bring Rivas to his home.
At 10:02 p.m., Rivas texted, “girly pop im almost there open ur door if ur home,” according to testimony reported by TMZ. Eight minutes later, D4vd replied, “gate open door unlocked.” TMZ reported that no further texts from Rivas were read after that point.
D4vd continued messaging her after the Uber ride, according to the court testimony. At 10:31 p.m., he wrote that the Uber showed she had arrived and asked where she was, then sent more follow-ups including “helloooo,” “bro” and “celeste.”
TMZ reported that he later asked whether she had blocked him, said he planned to call someone identified as Jen, and kept trying to get a response after midnight. The outlet reported that D4vd leaned forward and appeared calm as the messages were read aloud.
How did D4vd’s defense use the messages?
During cross-examination, defense attorney Blair Berk focused on the threats Rivas allegedly made, according to TMZ. LAPD Detective Corey Farell confirmed that Rivas had twice threatened to kill and strangle D4vd and had also threatened to ruin his career, the outlet reported.
The defense also pointed to messages that, according to TMZ, suggested Rivas had previously been violent toward D4vd and had discussed killing herself. Berk argued that Rivas was the one pressing to visit him before his Asia tour, TMZ reported.
What are prosecutors alleging against D4vd?
Prosecutors allege D4vd lured Rivas to his home, fatally stabbed her on April 23, 2025, and later dismembered her body, according to TMZ’s prior reporting. Rivas’ remains were found months later inside his Tesla, TMZ reported.
D4vd has pleaded not guilty. The case remains in the preliminary hearing stage, where prosecutors present evidence as a judge weighs whether the case should proceed.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.