The family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez has called for singer D4vd to face the death penalty if he is convicted of murdering the teenager in Los Angeles.
The statement was released on the eve of what would have been Celeste’s 16th birthday. Her family said they believed capital punishment would be appropriate for the person accused of causing “pain to our daughter, our family, and the world that supports our precious daughter”.
David Anthony Burke, 21, who performs as D4vd, has pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges. He remains in custody without bail and is due to return to court for a status conference on 19 October.
Celeste, who was 14 when she died, was found in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke after the vehicle was towed from the Hollywood Hills. Her decomposed remains were discovered at a Los Angeles tow yard on 8 September 2025, one day after what would have been her 15th birthday.
The Los Angeles County medical examiner later determined that she died from multiple penetrating injuries caused by one or more objects, and classified the death as a homicide.
Death penalty decision still pending
Prosecutors allege that Burke killed Celeste to stop her from damaging his music career by revealing their alleged sexual relationship. He has been charged with murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
The case also includes special-circumstance allegations relating to lying in wait, murder for financial gain and the killing of a witness in a criminal investigation. If convicted as charged, Burke could face life in prison without parole or the death penalty.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has not yet decided whether to seek execution. The district attorney’s office said the decision would be made at a later date.
Burke’s previous defence lawyers withdrew from the case at his 31 August hearing. A Los Angeles County public defender has since been appointed to represent him.
In a separate tribute released for Celeste’s birthday, her family said they were praying, singing “Happy Birthday” and remembering the moments they had shared with her.
“We will always remember every moment and every good time we spent with Celestita,” they said.
California retains the death penalty in law, although the state has not carried out an execution since January 2006. Governor Gavin Newsom imposed a moratorium on executions in 2019.
The charges against Burke remain allegations and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
