The family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez — the 14-year-old girl found dismembered in D4vd‘s impounded Tesla last year — has spoken out following news that the singer has been charged with murder in connection to her death.
In a statement shared with CBS News and ABC, Rivas’ family thanked the Los Angeles Police Department and the District Attorney for their “hard work” on the case, as well as “the people of Lake Elsinore for all their support.”
“Celeste was a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance,” the statement continued. “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,” the family added. “All we want is justice for Celeste.”
D4vd, born David Anthony Burke, was arrested on April 16 on suspicion of murdering Rivas. Four days later, L.A. police announced that he’d been charged with first-degree murder as well as continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and mutilating a body, with authorities suspecting that D4vd killed Rivas to prevent her from exposing his criminal conduct involving her.
“Burke allegedly murdered her, cut up her body and stuffed her body in two bags that were placed in the front trunk of his car,” L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a press release. “This horrific and gruesome murder committed by the charged sexual predator is shocking and appalling. To Celeste’s loved ones, we will get the justice you seek and deserve.”
D4vd pleaded not guilty at an arraignment on Monday (April 20). His lawyer, Blair Berk, stated, “We believe the actual evidence will show David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez.”
Rivas’ decomposed body was found on Sept. 8, 2025, after a “foul odor” coming from an impounded Tesla had been reported at the Hollywood Tow lot in L.A. Shortly afterward, forensics identified her remains, at which point D4vd was said to be “fully cooperating” with authorities in their investigation.
Hochman stated on Monday that D4vd allegedly murdered Rivas on April 23, 2025, just two days before he released debut album Withered. “Celeste, a 14-year-old at that time, went to Mr. Burke’s house in the Hollywood Hills,” the attorney added at a press conference. “She was never heard from again.”
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