Celeste Rivas Hernandez was 17 years old when prosecutors allege singer D4VD strangled her to death in what authorities describe as a calculated killing driven by the teenager's pregnancy and his desire to keep their relationship secret.
Background
D4VD, whose real name is David Anthony Martinez, gained viral popularity on TikTok before launching a music career. The rapper-singer had released several tracks that accumulated millions of streams, including 'Romantic Homicide,' which became a breakout hit in 2022.
The Harris County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation after family members reported Rivas Hernandez missing. Authorities say they quickly identified Martinez as a person of interest due to his connection to the victim.
The Investigation
According to court documents filed by the Harris County District Attorney's Office, investigators obtained text messages between D4VD and Rivas Hernandez that revealed the nature of their relationship and communications about her prior pregnancy. Prosecutors allege the messages show she had terminated a pregnancy weeks before her death.
Sheriff's deputies arrested Martinez in April at his parents' home in the Houston suburbs. He has been charged with capital murder, which carries a potential sentence of life imprisonment without parole or the death penalty.
Investigators say text message evidence recovered from both devices painted a picture of an escalating conflict between the pair. According to prosecutors, Rivas Hernandez had threatened to inform Martinez's family about their relationship and her pregnancy before she disappeared.
"The evidence we've collected indicates this was not a spontaneous act," said one law enforcement official familiar with the investigation, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case publicly. "There was clear premeditation."
Key Takeaways
- D4VD, born David Anthony Martinez, rose to fame through viral TikTok success and songs like 'Romantic Homicide'
- Prosecutors allege he strangled 17-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez after she threatened to expose their relationship
- Text messages recovered by investigators allegedly show discussions about a prior abortion
- The singer has been charged with capital murder in Harris County, Texas
- His defense attorney has maintained his innocence and argued the evidence is circumstantial
What's Next
Martinez is being held without bond at the Harris County Jail. A grand jury hearing is scheduled for September to determine whether prosecutors have sufficient evidence to pursue a capital murder indictment.
His attorneys are expected to challenge several pieces of digital evidence, including questions about the chain of custody for the text messages. A trial date has not yet been set.