Family of Murdered 14-Year-Old Celeste Rivas Hernandez Demands Death Penalty in Musician D4vd's Trial

The grieving relatives of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez are calling for the death penalty to be imposed on recording artist D4vd if he is convicted in connection with her killing. The demand came on what would have been the teenager's 16th birthday, emphasizing the profound emotional toll her death has taken on her loved ones and the wider public.

The musical artist, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, is currently facing serious criminal charges following the discovery of the teenager's dismembered remains on September 8, 2025. Her body was located inside the trunk of a Tesla vehicle registered to Burke's residential address, sparking an intensive investigation by law enforcement authorities. Burke has maintained his innocence and entered a plea of not guilty.

Although the state of California is currently operating under a temporary moratorium on the application of capital punishment, Hernandez's parents have insisted that execution remains the only appropriate judicial outcome should Burke be found guilty of the murder in his upcoming criminal trial.

In a public statement issued on Monday through their legal counsel, the family delivered a searing condemnation of the defendant. They asserted that if the death penalty were reinstated and carried out, it would be the fitting punishment for an individual they described as lacking conscience, feelings, and basic humanity, while bringing immense sorrow to the teenager's relatives and supporters.

The call for maximum punishment coincides with significant new civil litigation launched by the victim's parents, Mercedes Martinez and Jesus Rivas. On Friday, the couple filed a formal lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against the artist, seeking monetary compensation that encompasses expenses related to the teenager's burial and funeral arrangements.

The newly submitted legal action sets forth allegations that mirror the foundational assertions of the criminal prosecution against the performer. Within the court documents, Martinez and Rivas hold Burke directly responsible for their daughter's wrongful death, childhood sexual abuse, and unlawful false imprisonment.

According to the civil complaint, the initial contact between Burke and the teenager took place in November 2023, when Hernandez was just 13 years of age. Over the course of the succeeding 16 months, the pair are alleged to have maintained persistent communication, sending nearly 10,000 text messages to each other while engaging in multiple instances of sexual contact.

The court filing strongly emphasizes the pronounced age and authority imbalance between the two individuals. The parents' legal submission contends that Burke, as a grown adult, occupied a distinct position of control and authority over the underage minor, using that dynamic to exert undue influence over her throughout their interactions.

The civil lawsuit further alleges that the fatal incident occurred at Burke's residence in the Hollywood Hills following an escalation of conflict. The family claims Burke killed the teenager after she threatened to publicly expose their illicit relationship, pointing to a contentious text message that read, "I will end ur career and ur life."

Beyond naming the artist directly, the civil complaint extends liability to a wider circle of individuals and corporate entities linked to the entertainer. The defendants listed in the action include Burke's mother, a live-in security guard, various corporate entities under his control, and his management representatives.

The legal action accuses these associates and professional entities of actively enabling Burke to isolate Hernandez from outside help. The filing alleges that the defendant's support network helped facilitate logistical arrangements, including his travel, personal security, and housing accommodations during the period of the alleged abuse.

In response to the assertions surrounding the relationship, representatives from Burke's management agency, Mogul Vision, along with his financial management team, have previously maintained that they possessed no prior knowledge regarding Hernandez or her involvement with the artist.

The escalating civil proceedings follow key determinations within the criminal justice process. In July, a presiding judge ruled that prosecutors had established sufficient probable cause to order Burke to stand trial on the primary murder charge, at which time the district attorney indicated that potential pursuit of capital punishment remained under consideration.

Burke has continued to assert his innocence, formally reiterating his not-guilty plea during recent court proceedings last week. His legal posture has also undergone substantial restructuring following his decision to part ways with his previously retained high-profile celebrity defence attorneys.

The defendant is now receiving legal representation from the public defender's office, with deputy public defender Walid Kandeel taking charge of the defence. Kandeel publicly stated that his office is committed to ensuring Burke receives a thorough and serious defence that rigorously investigates all relevant evidence presented in the case.

With the criminal trial officially postponed until next year to accommodate preparations, the court has scheduled Burke's next pre-trial appearance for October 19. Meanwhile, the public defender's office has not released any immediate commentary concerning the parallel civil lawsuit filed by the victim's family.