Detective Corey Farrell testified that Celeste Rivas Hernandez misrepresented her age during early online conversations
During cross-examination at a preliminary hearing on July 27, 2026, a Los Angeles police detective officially confirmed that Celeste Rivas Hernandez lied about her age to singer David Anthony Burke. She claimed to be 16 in 2022 when she was actually 11.
The defense team for singer David Anthony Burke presented crucial evidence in a Los Angeles courtroom. A police detective confirmed that the late Celeste Rivas Hernandez lied about her age.
Detective Corey Farrell faced cross-examination during the preliminary hearing on July 27, 2026. He stated that the victim told Burke she was 16 during their first online conversations. The messages date back to 2022 when Burke was 17 and Hernandez was 11.
Defense highlights early messages
The court reviewed early online chats between the two individuals. The defense argued that Hernandez misrepresented her age from the beginning of their contact.
Farrell confirmed these false claims appeared in their initial texts. Legal teams recently reviewed tragic messages in the case to build their arguments. The teenager also claimed to be 18 at various points during their timeline.
Prosecutors counter defense narrative
The courtroom viewed a police bodycam video from February 2024. In the footage, Burke told sheriff deputies that Hernandez was 18.
The prosecution strongly disputed the narrative pushed by the defense team. They noted that deputies informed the singer in 2024 that the girl was only 13. The state claims that Burke continued his contact with her despite knowing this truth.
