The family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez has spoken out following the news that musician D4vd—whose legal name is David Anthony Burke—has been charged with her murder. The announcement comes alongside the revelation of the teenager's cause of death, marking a somber development in a case that has shocked the community.
Last week, on April 20, authorities in Los Angeles formally charged Burke with the first-degree murder of the 14-year-old. In addition to the murder charge, Burke faces counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under the age of 14 and the mutilation of a body. Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman further alleged that the murder was committed for “financial gain” and that the victim was killed as a witness to an ongoing investigation.
Burke has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges, and legal proceedings are currently underway.
In a statement shared with CBS News and ABC, the Rivas family expressed their gratitude to law enforcement for their diligent work on the case and thanked the residents of Lake Elsinore for their continued support. “Celeste was a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance,” the family shared. “Every Friday night was movie night, and we spent wonderful times together. We love her very much and she always told us that she loved us. We miss her deeply. All we want is justice for Celeste.”
On April 22, the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office confirmed that Rivas Hernandez’s death was a homicide, citing “multiple penetrating injuries” caused by an unidentified object or objects. The investigation into the teenager's death began in earnest last September, when her remains were discovered in the trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke.
Prosecutors allege that Burke murdered the 14-year-old to protect his music career, claiming she was threatening to expose him regarding previous sexual misconduct. Burke’s defense team, comprised of attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter, has stated they intend to “vigorously defend David’s innocence,” asserting that the evidence will show he was not responsible for her death.
Following the arrest, several of D4vd’s high-profile collaborations, including tracks with Laufey, Damiano David, and Kali Uchis, have been removed from major streaming platforms.