Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s family speaks out after D4vd’s murder charge
In a statement, Hernandez’s loved ones thanked those who had led the investigation and expressed their desire for “justice for Celeste.”
Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images
The family of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez has released a statement on their daughter’s murder and the subsequent arrest of rapper D4vd. After thanking the Los Angeles Police Department, the District Attorney, and the Lake Elsinore population, they paid tribute to Celeste. “Celeste was a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance,” the statement read. “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.” They continued, “We miss her deeply. All we want is justice for Celeste.”
On April 16, D4vd, born David Anthony Burke, was arrested on suspicion of Hernandez’s murder. The investigation had begun in September, when Rivas’s body was discovered, dismembered, in the trunk of Burke’s Tesla. Though D4vd initially cooperated with authorities in the investigation, he soon ceased offering information.
L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced in a press release that Burke had allegedly murdered Hernandez, “cut up her body and stuffed her body in two bags that were placed in the front trunk of his car.” He further revealed that Hernandez had traveled to Burke’s Hollywood Hills house on April 21, 2025, and that she had likely been killed two days later, on April 23. On April 25, Burke released his debut album Withered. Hochman assured Celeste’s family, “you will get the justice you seek and deserve.”
Burke pleaded not guilty to the murder charge on Monday. His lawyer, Blair Berk, announced that evidence would “show David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez.” Prosecutors, for their part, have alleged to have 40 terabytes of evidence at the ready. Burke has been denied bail.
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