After Burke’s arrest, the teen’s family hires a wrongful death lawyer and invokes Marsy’s Law to ensure their voice is heard
The family of slain 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez is invoking their rights under California’s Victims’ Bill of Rights Act, also known as Marsy’s Law, ahead of the anticipated Monday arraignment of singer D4vd (real name David Anthony Burke). Burke was arrested on April 16 in connection with her death.
In a statement released to Los Angeles prior to Monday’s expected court proceedings, the family stated through their attorney, Patrick Steinfeld, that they intend to “fully participate” in the criminal case following Burke’s arrest. Burke, 21, is reportedly scheduled to be arraigned April 20 in Los Angeles County Superior Court and is currently being held without bail. This comes after a grueling seven-month homicide investigation.
The family plans to attend both the reported arraignment and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s press conference “in a supportive role,” but will not speak publicly during those proceedings. They are expected to provide brief remarks outside the courthouse afterward through Steinfeld.
“Out of respect for the District Attorney’s Office and the LAPD Robbery Homicide investigation into Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s death, the family has chosen not to make any public statement until after David Anthony Burke is arraigned and the District Attorney concludes their press conference. However, the family will make their first public statement outside the courthouse following the DA’s press conference,” Steinfeld told Los Angeles.
Credit: (Photo by Daniel DeSlover/Sipa USA)(Sipa via AP Images)
Per Steinfeld’s press release: In learning of Burke’s arrest, Celeste’s father, Jesus Rivas, said, “thank God… justice for Celeste.”
Celeste’s remains were discovered on September 8, 2025, in the frunk of a Tesla registered to Burke after the vehicle had been abandoned and towed to an impound lot.
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Multiple outlets have reported that the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled the teen’s death a homicide. While that appears consistent with unsealed grand jury documents referencing murder and Burke’s arrest on suspicion of murder, the determination has not been officially confirmed. Los Angeles reached out to the medical examiner’s office and was told the case remains sealed. A public information officer there referred inquiries to the Los Angeles Police Department regarding whether an investigative hold on the case would be lifted.
Multiple outlets are reporting that the Los Angeles ME’s Office has ruled the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez a homicide. That’s likely true (based on unsealed grand jury documents referencing murder and D4vd’s arrest on suspicion of murder), but it has not yet been officially… pic.twitter.com/8cftrBV1z1
— Lauren Conlin (@conlin_lauren) April 17, 2026
The family’s decision to retain Steinfeld, an attorney whose practice is dedicated exclusively to wrongful death cases, signals a potential parallel civil case as the criminal proceedings unfold.
According to his firm, Steinfeld focuses solely on representing families who have lost loved ones, handling cases involving fatal incidents and the complex litigation that follows. His firm does not take standalone personal injury matters, instead representing surviving family members only when injuries are tied to a wrongful death case.
Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles Police Department or submit tips anonymously through LA Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.