D4vd's phone shows teen was pregnant and had abortion before killing, detective testifies

Summary by The Los Angeles Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by James Queally, Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times - California · July 24, 2026 · 1 min read

An LAPD detective took the witness stand Friday and laid out years worth of text messages and phone calls that authorities say indicate the singer D4vd, sexually abused a teenage girl for years, impregnated her and convinced her to have an abortion before allegedly killing her in April of 2025.

Why this matters in The Los Angeles

The disturbing details emerging in the D4vd murder case have significant implications for Los Angeles County's efforts to combat child exploitation and abuse. The alleged actions of David Anthony Burke, if proven, would represent a egregious breach of trust and a shocking example of the hidden dangers that can exist in the city's communities. As the case unfolds, it will be crucial to examine how local authorities and social services responded to any potential warnings signs or reports of abuse, and whether more could have been done to prevent the alleged victim's tragic death. The fact that the alleged abuse spanned several years raises questions about the effectiveness of existing safeguards and support systems for vulnerable teenagers in Los Angeles. The community will be watching closely to see how the city's law enforcement and child protection agencies respond to this case and work to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

About this story

Original reporting by Los Angeles Times - California. The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit Los Angeles Times - California. Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: local · Published: July 24, 2026 · Source: Los Angeles Times - California · Reading time: 1 min

Frequently asked about this story

What is this story about?

When was this published?

This article was first published on July 24, 2026 by Los Angeles Times - California and curated for The Los Angeles readers.

Who reported this story?

This story was reported by James Queally, Richard Winton at Los Angeles Times - California. To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards.

Where can I find related coverage?

See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs.

Summary created by	The Los Angeles Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed
Original reporting	James Queally, Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times - California
Original story	Read at the source
Source published	Jul 24, 2026
Indexed here	Jul 25, 2026
AI assistance	Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text
Prepublication human review	No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples

D4vd's phone shows teen was pregnant and had abortion before killing, detective testifies

More stories

Nearly 150,000 mail ballots rejected in California's primary despite efforts to count every vote

Nonprofit creates epic custom cosplay wheelchairs for kids at San Diego Comic-Con

'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' Season 3 gets Nov. 20 premiere date

Homelessness in Los Angeles rises again after 2-year decline, audit report shows

LeBron James says he's going to play for the Philadelphia 76ers next season

Woman who claims to run animal rescue locked 18 dogs in a car with no water, prosecutors say

Some court-watchers say LA judges are setting higher bail for Latinos

LA County DEO Invites Youth and Employers to Explore Paid Work Opportunities Through Youth@Work

Paramount agrees to delay closing its Warner Bros buyout for months while judge considers challenge

With another scorching weekend in store for SoCal, fire danger is ticking up

With Big Bear eagle ailing, OpenAI co-founder drops $5.5M to buy land near nest

Public Health Issues Citations to Lineage Logistics After Post-Fire Inspections Identify Unsanitary and Nuisance Conditions

Get the briefing.