Family of killed teen call for death penalty in D4vd trial
The parents of Celeste Rivas Hernandez say execution "would be perfect" if D4vd is found guilty.
Family of slain teen urges death penalty in D4vd case
Celeste Rivas Hernandez's remains were discovered in September 2025 inside a Tesla registered to D4vd's address
The family of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez has pushed for the death penalty if D4vd is convicted of murdering their daughter.
D4vd, whose birth name is David Anthony Burke, is accused of killing the teenager, whose dismembered body was found in the trunk of a Tesla car registered to his address on 8 September 2025. Burke has entered a not guilty plea to the charges.
Although the death penalty is temporarily banned in California, where Burke is set to go on trial, Hernandez's family said in a statement that execution "would be perfect" if the singer were found guilty of murder.
Separately, Hernandez's parents filed a civil lawsuit against Burke on Friday, seeking financial damages that include burial and funeral costs.
Mercedes Martinez and Jesus Rivas claim Burke was responsible for the wrongful death, false imprisonment and childhood sexual assault of their daughter.
According to the court filings, Burke and Hernandez first met in November 2023, when she was 13.
Over the following 16 months, they say, the two exchanged nearly 10,000 texts and had sex multiple times.
"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 say in papers filed last Friday.
They also allege that Burke killed the teenager at his Hollywood Hills home after she threatened to expose their relationship, following an alleged message that said: "I will end ur career and ur life".
The lawsuit also names several of Burke's companies and managers, along with his mother and a live-in security guard.
Hernandez's parents say these individuals "enabled Burke to isolate" Rivas Hernandez and helped with his travel, housing and security.
Burke's management company Mogul Vision and finance manager have previously denied knowing about Burke and Rivas Hernandez, the
In July, a judge found sufficient probable cause for Burke to face trial on the murder charge in the criminal case. At that time, the district attorney said he was considering whether to seek the death penalty.
In a statement on Monday, which would have been Hernandez's 16th birthday, her family called for Burke to be executed.
"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," the statement said, released through the family's attorney.
Burke again pleaded not guilty to the charges last week and has since split with his celebrity defence attorney. He is now represented by a public defender and is due back in court on 19 October. His trial has been pushed to next year.
Deputy public defender Walid Kandeel said Burke was "entitled to a defence that takes his circumstances seriously and carefully examines the evidence".
"We are committed to providing him with that defence," he said.
His office did not immediately comment on the civil lawsuit.