Family Appeals for Death Penalty as Singer D4vd Faces Murder Trial
After the dismembered body of 14‑year‑old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was recovered from the trunk of a Tesla registered to musician D4vd (real name David Anthony Burke), her parents have called for the execution of the suspect if he is convicted of murder.
Burke, who is charged with the killing, has pleaded not guilty. California’s temporary ban on capital punishment is still in effect, yet the family says an execution would be “perfect” in the eyes of justice. In a statement released on the day of Hernandez’s 16th birthday, the parents demanded a death sentence for the musician, stressing the absence of remorse and the pain he caused.
In addition to the criminal case, Hernandez’s parents filed a civil suit against Burke on Friday, seeking monetary damages for burial and funeral expenses. The lawsuit also names using his managers, his mother, a live‑in security guard, and his companies. The parents argue that these parties enabled Burke to isolate Hernandez, facilitate his travel, housing, and security, and were conscious of his relationship with a minor.
The suit details the timeline of the alleged abuse: the first meeting in November 2023, when Hernandez was 13, followed by nearly 10,000 text messages and repeated sexual encounters over the next 16 months. According to the plaintiffs, on the night of the crime, Burke allegedly threatened to “end her career and life” after a confrontation in which she threatened to reveal her relationship.
A judge found enough probable cause for Burke to stand trial for the murder charge in July, allowing the District Attorney to weigh the possibility of seeking the death penalty. Burke’s high‑profile defense team has since withdrawn, leaving him to be represented by a public defender. His court appearance has been rescheduled to October 19, with the criminal trial moved to next year.
A deputy public defender noted that Burke “is entitled to a defence that takes the circumstances seriously and examines evidence carefully.” The office has not yet commented on the civil action.
