Celeste’s family broke their silence after D4vd was charged, and the one thing they said they want has people devastated

The family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez has spoken publicly for the first time since formal charges were brought against the singer known as D4vd. Their statement comes after the artist, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, was arrested last Thursday and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the teenager’s death.

In a statement provided by their attorney, Patrick Steinfeld, parents Jesus and Mercedes Rivas Hernandez expressed their grief and their focus going forward. “Celeste was a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance,” they said.

“We miss her deeply. All we want is justice for Celeste,” they further added. As highlighted by UNILAD and ABC7, the family also thanked the Los Angeles Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office, and the community of Lake Elsinore for their support throughout the investigation.

The charges against Burke reflect one of the most serious cases the LA District Attorney has brought in recent memory

Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman officially announced the charges on Monday. They include first-degree murder, murder for financial gain, and murdering a witness to an investigation, alongside allegations of multiple sexual acts with a minor and mutilation of a body. Celeste was reportedly a witness in an inquiry into alleged sexual acts committed by Burke when she was under the age of 14.

The timeline established by authorities indicates that Celeste, who had been reported missing by her family in 2024, was last seen alive on April 23, 2025, the same day she arrived at Burke’s rented home in the Hollywood Hills. Prosecutors allege she was killed to prevent her from exposing their sexual relationship, with investigators believing Burke used a sharp instrument and later mutilated her remains. Her body was discovered months later when a tow yard employee reported a foul odor coming from an abandoned Tesla registered to the 21-year-old musician.

During his first court appearance on Monday, Burke pleaded not guilty to all charges and is currently being held without bail. His next court date is set for Thursday. His legal team, consisting of attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter, issued a statement maintaining his innocence: “The actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death.” Burke’s parents have also stated they stand by him completely.

Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell acknowledged the challenges of the investigation at a press briefing, noting that the significant time between the death and the discovery of the remains meant some evidence had degraded. The DA’s office confirmed that a decision on whether to pursue the death penalty will be made at a later date, amid a broader pattern of high-profile murder charges that prosecutors across the country have been pursuing aggressively in recent months.

The victim was 13 years old when she was first reported missing and is believed to have been 14 at the time of her death. Burke, 21, now faces potential life in prison without the possibility of parole. The case draws parallels to other situations where a young athlete or entertainer’s career prospects were disrupted by a pre-event arrest, as seen recently with an NFL prospect charged days before the NFL Draft, though the circumstances and severity here are in an entirely different category.