Family of Slain Teen Call for Death Penalty in D4vd Trial
The family of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez has lobbied for the death penalty if D4vd (born David Anthony Burke) is found guilty of murdering their daughter.
D4vd is charged with killing the teenager, whose dismembered body was found in the trunk of a Tesla car registered to his address on September 8, 2025. Burke has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
While the death penalty is temporarily banned in California, where Burke is due to stand trial, Hernandez’s family stated that execution "would be perfect" if the singer is convicted of murder.
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Hernandez’s parents filed a civil lawsuit against Burke on Friday, seeking monetary damages including burial and funeral expenses. The lawsuit, lodged at Los Angeles Superior Court, makes similar claims to those raised by prosecutors in the criminal case against the singer.
They allege that Burke, who met Hernandez when she was 13, caused her wrongful death, false imprisonment, and childhood sexual assault. According to court documents, the pair exchanged almost 10,000 texts over 16 months and had several sexual encounters.
"At all relevant times Burke was an adult who occupied a position of authority over decedent, a minor, and was able to and did exercise undue influence and control over her," the parents state in the documents. They claim Burke killed Hernandez at his Hollywood Hills home when she threatened to reveal their relationship, after allegedly sending a message: "I will end ur career and ur life."
The lawsuit also names several of Burke’s companies, managers, his mother, and a live-in security guard, alleging they "enabled Burke to isolate" Hernandez and facilitated his travel, housing, and security.
Burke’s management company Mogul Vision and finance manager have previously denied knowing about Burke and Hernandez.
In July, a judge found enough probable cause for Burke to stand trial on the murder charge in the criminal case. The district attorney is weighing whether to seek the death penalty.
On what would have been Hernandez’s 16th birthday, her family expressed their desire for justice.
