What to KnowSinger D4vd was charged with first-degree murder and other crimes in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas, who was reported missing in the spring of 2025. The Lake Elsinore girl’s decomposed body was found Sept. 8, 2025, in the front trunk of a Tesla impounded at a Los Angeles tow yard. Police said Celeste’s death likely occurred in the spring of last year.The car was impounded after someone reported it was abandoned in the Hollywood Hills, where neighbors say it had been parked for more than a month. The medical examiner’s office listed Celeste’s cause of death as multiple penetrating injuries caused by an object or objects.Burke was charged with first-degree murder, including special circumstances allegations that can increase sentencing penalties. He also faces one count each of continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains.Burke pleaded not guilty Aug. 31 to the charges after a preliminary hearing in July when prosecutors presented a significant amount of evidence, including phone content, text messages and more.
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The family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez on Thursday filed a wrongful death lawsuit against singer and TikTok star D4vd in connection with the death of the 14-year-old Southern California girl.
D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, was ordered by a judge last month to stand trial in the killing of the teen, whose remains were found a year ago in the front trunk of his abandoned Tesla.
A copy of the complaint was shared with NBC Los Angeles from the family’s attorney, Patrick Seinfeld, who said the Los Angeles Superior Court processed the lawsuit Thursday afternoon.
The defendants listed in the complaint include the singer, his mother, his business entities and his security guard, among others.
“The Rivas Hernandez family is relieved that the civil process is now underway so we can proceed in tandem with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office to bring the full force of the law (criminal and civil) against David Anthony Burke and his enablers,” Seinfeld said.
Burke was charged with first-degree murder, including special circumstances allegations that can increase sentencing penalties. He also faces one count each of continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
The special circumstances allegations against Burke include commission of the crime for financial gain. Prosecutors said the allegation stems from the singer’s music career, which was being threatened by his alleged sexual relationship with the underage girl. Celeste was considered the key witness in that investigation, warranting the allegation of murdering a witness, he said.
Burke pleaded not guilty Aug. 31 to the charges after a preliminary hearing in July when prosecutors presented a significant amount of evidence, including phone content, text messages and more.
The next proceeding in the case is a status conference on Oct. 19. A trial would be held within 90 days of that date.
On Monday, Celeste’s birthday, her family released a statement calling for Burke to face the death penalty, if convicted.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has said possible sentences, if Burke is convicted as charged, include life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty. A decision will be made at a later date.
Defense attorneys for singer David “D4vd” Burke claim the teenage victim’s parents were aware of a relationship between the defendant and victim. NBC4 Investigates’ Eric Leonard reports for the NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on Monday, July 27, 2026,
NBC News reached out to Burke’s attorney for comment.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order in 2019 that placed a moratorium on executions in California. The last death row execution in California was in 2006.
The Lake Elsinore girl’s family released a separate statement last week, addressing in part the assignment of a public defender to represent Burke, which the family said was “unfathomable.” Burke was assigned the new attorney at last month’s hearing after now-former attorney Blair Berk told the judge that her team wishes to step down as counsel.
Deputy Public Defender Walid Kandeel was appointed to represent Burke.
“The Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office has been appointed to represent David Burke,” Kandeel said after the Aug. 31 hearing. “We recognize the loss of life underlying the allegations and extend our sympathies to those who are grieving. At the same time, David Burke is entitled to a defense that takes his circumstances seriously and carefully examines the evidence. We are committed to providing him with that defense.
The family also said they’ve experienced “so many emotions” and continue to relive “unforgettable moments even though (Celeste) is no longer here.”
Prosecutors tried to show that the singer killed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez to maintain his financial assets. Eric Leonard reports for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.
“These are feelings that only a father and mother and her siblings can share, with a heavy heart,” the family said. “We will always remember every moment and every good time we spent with Celestita.”
Burke was arrested April 16 in the months-long investigation that began after decomposing remains were discovered in September 2025 inside the storage area of his abandoned Tesla. The car was impounded after it had been parked for an extended period in a Hollywood Hills neighborhood not far from a rental property where Burke had been living.
Police said Celeste’s death likely occurred in the spring of last year. The medical examiner’s office said the cause of death was multiple penetrating injuries caused by and object or objects, which indicates a stabbing.
Celeste, who disappeared in the Lake Elsinore area in 2024, was identified through forensics. She had been last seen April 5, 2024, in the western Riverside County community.
Burke was ordered to stand trial after a five-day hearing in July when a significant amount of evidence was presented in the case. Disturbing photos, details from forensics investigators and text messages, some from the night authorities said they believe Celeste was killed, were shown by prosecutors.
Prosecutors methodically presented evidence that included a detailed yearslong timeline of interactions between Burke and Celeste at ages 12, 13 and 14.
Text exchanges presented at the July hearing included several from April 22 and 23, 2025, the date prosecutors said they believe Celeste was killed. They included messages in which Celeste threatened to end D4vd’s lucrative music career and the two argued over Burke’s relationship with another girl or woman.
The singer ordered chainsaws via Amazon, according to prosecutors. Eric Leonard reports for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
Celeste’s decomposed body was found Sept. 8, 2025, after workers at Hollywood Tow reported a strong odor coming from the Tesla registered to the singer. Officers opened the front trunk, also known as a frunk, and found the remains in two cadaver bags.
They were found a day after what would have been Celeste’s 15th birthday.
The “Romantic Homicide” singer’s world tour was in Minneapolis at the time of the discovery with a stop in Kansas City the next day. A representative told NBCLA at the time that D4vd was cooperating with authorities in their investigation.
D4vd is a singer-songwriter who rose to fame with viral hits on TikTok, where he has 3.8 million followers. That success led to signings with Darkroom and Interscope Records.
Born in Queens, New York, Burke moved to Texas in his early teens and gained a following on YouTube playing Fortnite and other online games. He started creating original music, some of which went viral on TikTok.
D4vd released his debut album “Withered” in April 2025 and embarked on a world tour.
In an interview on the “Zach Sang Show,” D4vd said the 4 substituted for the a in his name was for search-engine optimization and a representation of four cinematic universes with various characters that he was creating.