Family of Lake Elsinore girl seeks death penalty for singer D4vd if he is convicted.

The family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old girl whose tragic death last year has garnered significant public attention, is advocating for the imposition of the death penalty on the accused, David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd. Burke, 21, has entered a plea of not guilty to charges of murder and other related offenses stemming from the circumstances surrounding Rivas Hernandez’s death.

The young girl’s dismembered and decomposing remains were discovered in the trunk of Burke’s Tesla at a towing facility in Hollywood on September 8, 2025. Prior to the grim discovery, the vehicle had been towed from a location approximately 400 feet from Burke’s residence in the Hollywood Hills. The prosecution’s filings detail a narrative of events that have led to this high-profile case.

In a heartfelt statement released on what would have been their daughter’s 16th birthday, the Rivas Hernandez family expressed their belief that Burke’s actions reflect a profound moral void. They characterized him as an individual devoid of empathy, responsible for causing immeasurable pain not only to their family but also to a larger community that cherished Celeste.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney, Nathan Hochman, has indicated that the decision on whether to pursue the death penalty for Burke has yet to be made. California, while retaining the death penalty in its legal framework, has not executed a condemned inmate since January 2006. A moratorium on executions was instituted by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2019, adding complexity to the potential outcomes of this case.

Burke faces charges filed on April 20, 2025, which include capital murder, with aggravating circumstances of lying in wait and committing murder for financial gain. He is being held without bail. Additionally, Burke is charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and mutilation of human remains. Prosecutors allege that Burke’s motive for the alleged murder was to protect his emerging music career from potential damage that could arise from Rivas Hernandez revealing their reported long-term sexual relationship.

With Burke currently represented by a public defender—following the withdrawal of three previous attorneys—this ongoing legal battle is poised to capture continued attention as it unfolds within the California judicial system.

As this case progresses, it raises significant questions about justice, accountability, and the societal implications of such tragic events. Media News Source will continue to monitor developments in this high-profile case.