D4vd murder charge: Family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez speaks out after daughter found dead in Tesla

The family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were found in a Tesla affiliated with musician D4vd, made an emotional statement to the public.

This comes a day after musician D4vd was officially charged with first-degree murder in the teenager’s death.

The 21-year-old artist, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, was arrested on April 16 following the death of the 14-year-old boy.

In the statement, the family thanked the police and the people around them for their support and said that they wanted justice for the young man.

“We want to thank the Los Angeles Police Department and District Attorney’s Office for their hard work,” they wrote. NBC.

“We also want to thank the people of Lake Elsinore for their support.

“Celeste was a beautiful and strong girl who loved to sing and dance.

“Every Friday was movie night and we had great times together. We love her so much and she always told us she loved us too. We miss her so much. All we want is justice for Celeste.”

Celeste’s parents were present at Monday’s hearing and were expected to speak to the media afterward; However, family lawyer Patrick Steinfeld said that the arrival of a bomb threat canceled the event.

Mr Steinfeld said there were safety concerns for the “very special” family.

“The attacks of reporters and the aggression of some cameramen frightened them,” he said in a statement.

“They were devastated after hearing the horrific details revealed at the trial of David Burke.”

Mr. Steinfeld described the family after Burke’s court appearance as “exhausted, emotionally drained and needing time to pull themselves together.”

Celeste’s remains were found in the front trunk of a Tesla that was detained at a tow truck in Hollywood in September last year. Police said the vehicle was registered to an address linked to Burke in Texas.

The musician is accused of killing the young man for financial gain and of using a “sharp instrument” in the attack.

Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan J Hochman said digital and forensic evidence showed the alleged purpose was to prevent Burke’s music career from being exposed due to his relationship with an underage girl.

Authorities claim that Celeste also witnessed a separate crime and was “intentionally killed because of this fact.”

At Burke’s first hearing on Monday, his attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.

Defense counsel has pushed for preliminary hearings to begin this week.

“We believe that the real evidence will show that Mr. Burke did not kill Celeste and that this was not the cause of death. We want the evidence to come to light,” Blair Berk said. Daily Mail.

Prosecutors also charged Burke with repeated lewd acts against a child under 14 and destruction of human remains.

Authorities say special conditions attached to the murder charge include “waiting, committing this crime for financial gain, or killing a witness during an investigation.”

If convicted, Burke faces life in prison without parole or the death penalty.

The next hearing date was set as April 23.

Prosecutors allege the teen visited Burke’s home “at his invitation” on April 23, 2025, and was never seen again.

Speaking at the press conference, Mr. Hochman said that the final decision on whether to impose the death penalty would be made later.

“This murder was committed for financial gain. As the evidence at trial will show, the financial gain on that night was to continue Mr. Burke’s very lucrative music career,” Mr. Hochman said.

“In this particular case, Celeste was the witness for the investigation, as the evidence would emerge in court, and the investigation concerned lewd and lascivious sexual acts that Mr. Burke had committed while Celeste was under his supervision. [sic] “I am 14 years old.”

At the same briefing, Rivas’ family said their pain was “incalculable.”

Burke’s family has stood by him, with spokesman Kent Schaffer saying: “The Burkes are not surprised but deeply disappointed that the District Attorney chose to charge David. They still support and stand by him 100 percent.”

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