R&B singer D4vd faces child pornography claims in teen murder case
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
R&B singer D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, is facing murder charges in connection with the death and dismemberment of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. A US prosecutor stated on Thursday that child pornography was found on Burke's mobile phone. Burke, 21, faces a possible death penalty for the alleged murder and dismemberment of Hernandez, whose decomposing body was discovered in his Tesla in the Hollywood Hills. Prosecutors allege Burke killed Hernandez on April 23 last year to protect his burgeoning career, as she had threatened to expose their alleged sexual relationship. Her body was found in the front trunk of his car in September, shortly before her 15th birthday. At a preliminary hearing in Los Angeles, prosecutor Beth Silverman revealed that a search of Burke's iPhone uncovered "a significant amount of child pornography," though no details were provided regarding the imagery or if it involved the deceased. The murder has garnered international attention, with some noting parallels to Burke's music, including his hit "Romantic Homicide." Burke was arrested a week ago after a seven-month investigation. An autopsy indicated Hernandez died from "multiple penetrating injuries," and illegal drugs and alcohol were found in her system. Burke has denied one count each of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. He remains in jail, with his case scheduled for Wednesday to negotiate a date for a preliminary hearing.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadFormer Senate Chief Whip Ali Ndume has called for a stronger United States military presence in Borno State, specifically urging American forces to establish a base in the Mandara Mountains. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, stated that such a base could help eliminate Boko Haram insurgents operating in the region. He believes the Mandara Mountains could serve as a strategic point to observe and disrupt insurgent activities in areas like the Sambisa Forest and other enclaves. Ndume emphasized that the geographical positioning of the Mandara Mountains could help cut off supply routes and movement corridors used by insurgents across Borno State, thereby reducing the insurgency. His comments follow recent joint counter-terrorism operations between Nigeria and the United States Africa Command, which reportedly resulted in the killing of 175 ISIS terrorists in North-East Nigeria, as announced by the Defence Headquarters last month. Borno has been the epicenter of the Boko Haram insurgency for over a decade.
Nigerian actress Adunni Ade announced on her birthday that she privately welcomed a daughter with her partner over two years ago. She shared the news on Instagram, explaining that the decision to keep it private was for peace, not secrecy, stating, "We chose privacy. Not because we owed anyone secrecy but because peace is priceless, and not everything good needs an audience." Ade emphasized that her experience should not be reduced to speculation, noting that not every single mother fits assumptions or has a scandalous story. She described her daughter as an "answered prayer" after a journey of nearly a decade. The actress also differentiated between her public persona and private life, thanking supporters and clarifying that no home was broken. Adunni Ade is also a mother to two sons, D’Marion Young and Ayden Young, from a previous relationship with Michael Boyd.
BreakingAir raid sirens sounded in Israel as its military intercepted Iranian missiles, marking the first such attack since an April ceasefire. Iran's Revolutionary Guards described the attack as a "warning" following an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs. The April 8 ceasefire had paused major hostilities between Iran, Israel, and the United States, but efforts to achieve a lasting peace have stalled, with Sunday's events further dimming hopes as the Middle East conflict reached its 100th day. Tehran has maintained that any permanent peace deal must also address the conflict in Lebanon, where Israel is targeting Hezbollah, and had warned that new attacks on Beirut would lead to a "full-scale resumption" of hostilities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed striking a militant command center in Beirut's Dahiyeh district in response to Hezbollah's fire. The raid resulted in two deaths and 20 injuries, according to Lebanon's health ministry. Hezbollah later confirmed launching missiles and drones at Israeli army barracks. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's parliament speaker, accused the US of enabling the Beirut attack, stating that US and Israeli assets are now "legitimate targets." Following the missile launches, Iran, Iraq, and Syria closed their airspaces. The escalation comes amidst economic strain in Iran, with citizens expressing hardship due to rising prices. Diplomatic efforts are ongoing, with Pakistan's interior minister visiting Tehran to deli