India, July 28 -- The preliminary hearing for singer D4VD, whose legal name is David Burke, entered another key phase on Monday as defense attorneys argued that Celeste Rivas Hernandez's family knew about the pair's relationship before her death.

The claims came days after prosecutors presented text messages, photographs and forensic testimony to support allegations that Burke sexually abused the teenager before killing her in April 2025.

Burke has pleaded not guilty to charges including murder, sexual abuse of a child and mutilation of a body. Prosecutors have alleged Burke killed Rivas after she threatened to reveal their years-long sexual relationship, which they said began when she was 13. They further alleged he dismembered her bod...