Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s family supports death penalty for D4vd

Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s family says it supports death penalty if rapper D4vd is convicted of her murder

The family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez has said it would support the death penalty for rapper D4vd if he is convicted of killing the teenager.

The statement was released on Sept. 6, one day before what would have been Rivas’ 16th birthday. D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, was arrested in April and charged with the teenager’s murder.

"If the death penalty were activated, it would be perfect for this kind of human being, devoid of feelings and emptiness inside, and without conscience, who only caused pain to our daughter, our family, and the world that supports our precious daughter," Rivas’ family said in a statement shared with the New York Post.

"But that's not in our hands, but rather in God's, and the California justice system," the family added.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said on Aug. 31 that he had not yet decided whether prosecutors would seek the death penalty if D4vd is convicted.

Rivas’ decomposing remains were discovered inside the boot of a Tesla belonging to D4vd at an impound lot in Los Angeles on Sept. 8, 2025.

Prosecutors allege that D4vd fatally stabbed Rivas after she threatened to expose their illegal sexual relationship and damage his music career.

They further allege that the pair began communicating in 2022, when Rivas was 11, and entered a sexual relationship when she was 13 and D4vd was 18.

D4vd faces a first-degree murder charge with special circumstances including lying in wait, committing the crime for financial gain and murdering a witness to an investigation. He is also charged with lewd and lascivious sexual acts involving an individual under 14 and mutilating human remains.

A judge ruled on July 27 that prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial. Rivas’ family previously said they were "relieved" by the decision.