The family of Celeste Rivas Hernández issued their first statement this Tuesday following the charges filed against the singer D4vd for murder due to the death of the 14-year-old Hispanic woman.
In his statement, Celeste’s parents, Jesús Rivas and Mercedes Martínezthanked the work of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the Los Angeles County Prosecutor’s Office, as well as the residents of Lake Elsinore for the support they showed the family.
“Celeste expertise, a beautiful and strong girl who loved to sing and dance. Every Friday night we watched movies and spent wonderful moments together,” the teenager’s parents said in their statement.
Keep reading: D4vd is accused of murder in the Celeste Rivas case
“We love her very much and she always told us she loved us. We miss her deeply. All we want is justice for Celeste“they added.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced this Monday that charges were filed against the singer D4vdwhose legal name is David Anthony Burke, for first-degree murder, lewd acts with a minor under 14 years of age and mutilation of a corpse.
Burke was arrested by the LAPD on the afternoon of Thursday, April 16, at a residence in the Hollywood Hills.seven months after Celeste’s dismembered body was found in the trunk of a Tesla car registered to the artist.
Keep reading: D4vd singer arrested on suspicion of murder of 14-year-old Hispanic woman in Los Angeles
Rivas Hernández’s family was expected to present a statement this Monday after Burke’s hearing in a Los Angeles court. but the press conference was canceled.
Celeste Rivas disappeared in April 2024when I was 13 years old. The young woman’s alleged relationship with Burke was a key part of the investigation.
Celeste’s mother, Mercedes Martínez, told detectives that her daughter, before disappearing, She had told him that she had a boyfriend by the name of David..
Keep reading: Singer D4vd would be the target of investigation in the case of Celeste Rivas, in Los Angeles
In February 2026, court documents that were made public showed that a grand jury kept Burke under investigation.
“On April 13, 2025, Burke invited the victim to his home in the Hollywood Hills. Celeste R. arrived at the defendant’s house and was never seen again“Prosecutor Hochman said in a statement.
Hochman mentioned that D4vd had a long-term sexual relationship with Celeste when he experienced adultand that he murdered her to protect his career, leaving her mutilated body in his car for months.
Keep reading: Celeste Rivas’s body was not frozen or mutilated, says the Los Angeles police
The prosecutor said that investigators have physical, forensic and digital evidence which show that, when Celeste threatened to publicly denounce D4vd for having a sexual relationship with her, the singer invited her to his house and killed her.
“This murder was committed for profit, as the evidence will show at trial. The profit expertise allowed Mr. Burke to maintain his lucrative music career, which Celeste was threatening.“Hochman said.
The remains of Rivas Hernández They were found on September 8, 2025 at a towed vehicle yard, after the Tesla was reported abandoned in the Hollywood Hills.
Keep reading: Court order forces the Los Angeles coroner not to reveal data about Celeste Rivas
The criminal complaint against Burke includes allegations of aggravating circumstances for murder of a witness, murder for profit and stalking, and that he used a deadly and dangerous weapon, an affiliated instrument, to commit the crime.
If convicted on all charges, David Anthony Burke faces a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.
Prosecutor Nathan Hochman said Monday that it would be evaluated later. the possibility of requesting capital punishment.
Keep reading: Authorities would have a second suspect for the crime of Celeste Rivas in Los Angeles
On Monday afternoon, David Burke pleaded not guilty to the charges during his first court appearance. The next preliminary hearing is scheduled for this Thursday, April 23.
Keep reading:
· D4vd would be linked as a suspect to the death of a young Hispanic woman in Los Angeles
· Without clear cause, the death of a Hispanic woman found in a singer’s car in Los Angeles
· More details emerge about young Hispanic woman found dead in Los Angeles
