Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s Family Calls Death Penalty ‘Perfect’ for D4vd If He Is Convicted

The family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez says they would support the death penalty for rapper D4vd if he is convicted in connection with the teenager’s death.

 

The family issued the statement on Sunday, Sept. 6, just one day before Celeste would have celebrated her 16th birthday.

“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 family said in a statement shared with the New York Post.

The family also acknowledged that the ultimate punishment is not something they can decide themselves.

“But that’s not in our hands, but rather in God’s, and the California justice system,” they added.

D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, is 21 and has been charged with the murder of Celeste. His case is expected to proceed to trial after a judge determined in July that prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said Aug. 31 that he had not yet made a decision about whether prosecutors would seek the death penalty if Burke is convicted.

The case stems from the discovery of Celeste’s remains in September 2025. Her decomposing body was found inside the trunk of a Tesla belonging to Burke at an impound lot in Los Angeles on Sept. 8, 2025.

Burke was arrested in April 2026 and subsequently charged in connection with the teenager’s death.

Prosecutors allege that Burke fatally stabbed Celeste after she threatened to expose what authorities describe as an illegal sexual relationship and potentially damage his career.

According to prosecutors, Burke and Celeste first began communicating in 2022, when she was 11. Authorities allege their sexual relationship began when Celeste was 13 and Burke was 18.

 

Burke faces a first-degree murder charge carrying several special-circumstance allegations, including lying in wait, killing for financial gain and killing a witness to an investigation.

He is also accused of committing lewd and lascivious sexual acts involving a person under 14 and of mutilating human remains.

The allegations have not been proven in court, and Burke is presumed innocent unless and until he is convicted.

Celeste’s family previously expressed relief after the judge ruled that the prosecution had presented enough evidence for the case to proceed.

Following the five-day preliminary hearing, family attorney Patrick Steinfeld said the family was relieved that the hearing had come to an end and praised prosecutors and Los Angeles Police Department investigators for their work.

 

“They’re going to take a break and they appreciate the hard work the district attorney’s office has done, as well as the investigation by LAPD investigators,” Steinfeld told reporters outside the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

A formal trial date has not yet been announced.

For Celeste’s family, the legal proceedings continue to unfold against the backdrop of a birthday that should have been a celebration. Instead, one day before she would have turned 16, her family publicly made clear how severe a punishment they believe would be appropriate if the allegations against Burke are ultimately proven in court.