Family of Murdered Teenager Celeste Rivas Hernandez Demands Death Penalty in Legal Battle Against Singer D4vd

The family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old girl whose dismembered remains were discovered inside a vehicle last year, is publicly urging prosecutors to pursue capital punishment against recording artist D4vd if he is convicted of her murder. The demand comes amidst intensifying legal proceedings in Los Angeles, where the musician faces serious criminal charges alongside a newly filed wrongful death civil lawsuit.

D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, stands accused of killing the young teenager before concealing her body. Law enforcement authorities recovered Hernandez's remains on September 8, 2025, from the trunk of a Tesla automobile that was registered directly to Burke's residential address. Burke has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, entering formal pleas of not guilty to the charges leveled against him.

The emotional appeal from Hernandez's relatives was issued through their legal representative on a date that held profound significance for the grieving household, marking what would have been the teenager's 16th birthday. In an impassioned public statement, the family expressed their desire for the harshest possible judicial outcome, declaring that execution would be the only fitting resolution for an individual they described as callous, unfeeling, and completely devoid of human conscience.

Capital punishment remains a complex issue in the state of California, where Burke is slated to face a jury. The state currently operates under a temporary ban on executions, putting capital proceedings in a unique legal position. Nevertheless, the Los Angeles County District Attorney had earlier confirmed that prosecutors were actively evaluating whether to formally seek the death penalty as part of the ongoing criminal prosecution against the artist.

Parallel to the criminal trial, Hernandez's parents, Mercedes Martinez and Jesus Rivas, took significant civil action by lodging a comprehensive lawsuit against Burke in Los Angeles Superior Court. The civil complaint seeks substantial monetary restitution from the musician, including financial coverage for their daughter's funeral arrangements and final burial costs, while echoing many of the grave accusations presented by state prosecutors in the criminal indictment.

Within the civil filings, Martinez and Rivas formally accuse Burke of wrongful death, false imprisonment, and the childhood sexual assault of their underage daughter. The court documents outline a troubling timeline of events, claiming that the initial contact between the adult recording artist and Hernandez occurred in November 2023, when she was merely 13 years of age.

According to the details presented in the parents' filing, the dynamic between the performer and the minor developed over an estimated 16-month duration. During this extensive period, the lawsuit claims the two exchanged nearly 10,000 electronic text messages and engaged in multiple instances of sexual intercourse, establishing what the family terms an abusive and predatory relationship.

The legal complaint emphasizes the profound disparity in power and maturity between the parties, noting that Burke functioned as an adult who held a distinct position of influence over Hernandez. The filing asserts that this imbalance enabled the musician to exert undue control, authority, and manipulation over the young victim throughout their sustained interactions.

The parents further present a harrowing narrative regarding the circumstances surrounding Hernandez's demise at Burke’s residence located in the Hollywood Hills. According to the court papers, Burke fatally attacked the teenager after she threatened to expose the nature of their hidden relationship, an escalation that allegedly followed a message stating, "I will end ur career and ur life."

Beyond naming the recording artist directly, the civil litigation broadens its scope to include several individuals and corporate entities linked to Burke's professional and personal life. The defendants named in the filing encompass Burke's mother, a live-in residential security guard, his corporate entities, and members of his management infrastructure.

The lawsuit claims that these associates and business representatives actively facilitated the circumstances surrounding Hernandez's confinement and isolation. The parents allege that the named parties assisted Burke with logistics related to his travel arrangements, residential housing, and personal security measures, thereby enabling the continued concealment of his interactions with the teenager.

In response to the broader allegations, representatives connected to Burke’s enterprise have previously sought to distance themselves from the situation. His management firm, Mogul Vision, along with his designated finance manager, have publicly denied having any prior knowledge or awareness regarding Burke’s connection to Hernandez before the criminal case came to light.

The progression toward a criminal trial follows a critical ruling handed down by a Los Angeles judge in July. After reviewing the initial presentation of evidence, the court concluded that the state had established sufficient probable cause to hold Burke over for trial on the felony murder charge, setting the stage for a full evidentiary proceeding before a jury.

Burke’s criminal case has also witnessed significant shifts in legal representation in recent weeks. Following an appearance where he once again formally entered a plea of not guilty, the defendant parted ways with his private celebrity defense counsel and was subsequently reassigned to the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s office for his continued representation.

Walid Kandeel, the deputy public defender now assigned to lead Burke's legal defense, emphasized his team's focus on ensuring that the state's case is thoroughly scrutinized. Kandeel stated that his client deserves a rigorous defense that takes the surrounding circumstances seriously and meticulously inspects the evidence, though the public defender's office did not immediately issue a statement regarding the newly lodged civil litigation.

With the legal process advancing on multiple tracks, Burke is scheduled to make his next appearance in court on October 19. Meanwhile, the formal commencement of the criminal murder trial has been officially rescheduled to take place next year, giving both the defense and prosecution additional time to prepare for one of the region's most closely watched cases.