The family of Celeste Rivas has publicly stated their support for the death penalty for singer D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, should he be convicted of their daughter's murder. Burke, 21, is scheduled to face trial for the April 2025 slaying of Rivas, who was 14 years old at the time of her death.
"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," Rivas's family said in a statement to the New York Post. They added, "But that’s not in our hands, but rather in God’s, and the California justice system."
The decision regarding the implementation of the death penalty rests with Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman. Rivas's dismembered remains were discovered nearly one year prior to this statement.
Burke has pleaded not guilty to Rivas's murder, as well as charges of child sex abuse and mutilation connected to her death. His legal defense team, including Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter, recently withdrew from the case. The judge granted their request to withdraw, and the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office has been appointed to represent Burke, who qualified for appointed counsel.
"We recognize the loss of life underlying the allegations and extend our sympathies to those who are grieving," said Walid Kandeel, LA County Deputy Public Defender, in a statement to the LA Times. "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."
According to TMZ, the medical examiner faced challenges in determining Rivas's exact cause of death due to the advanced state of decomposition of her body. Police records indicate that the vehicle where her remains were found in a tow yard was registered to Burke's address in Texas.
Burke was officially named a suspect in the killing in February. Based on accounts from Rivas's friends and family, she was believed to be in a romantic relationship with Burke at the time of her death. Her family reported that she was last seen in the spring of 2024, having left her Lake Elsinore home at age 13, noting it was not her first instance of running away. Authorities discovered her body in the trunk of the impounded vehicle following reports of an offensive odor. Prosecutors alleged in a July 2026 news release that Burke murdered Rivas on April 23, 2025, out of fear that their relationship would jeopardize his career.
