Celeste Rivas' Family Issues First Statement Following D4vd's Arrest

The family of deceased teenager Celeste Rivas has issued its first public comments after the musician D4vd was charged with her murder.

D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, was arrested last Thursday for the murder of Rivas, 14, whose dismembered body was discovered inside the trunk of a Tesla registered to the 21-year-old recording artist last September.

D4vd has been charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances--murder of a witness to an investigation, murder of financial gain and lying in wait--as well as lewd and lascivious sexual acts with an individual under 14 years old and mutilating a body.

Rivas' parents speak out

In a statement shared with the New York Post through their attorney, Patrick Steinfield, Rivas' parents Jesus and Mercedes delivered their first remarks Tuesday.

"We would like to thank the Los Angeles Police Department and the District Attorney's Office for their hard work. We would also like to thank the people of Lake Elsinore for all their support. Celeste was a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance. Every Friday night was movie night and we spent wonderful times together," the statemen reads.

"We love her very much and she always told us that she loved us. We miss her deeply. All we want is Justice for Celeste."

D4vd has pleaded not guilty

At Monday's arraignment hearing, D4vd's lawyers entered a not guilty plea for their client, claiming that they will be able to prove the "Romantic Homicide" singer's innocence.

"We believe the actual evidence will show David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez, nor was he the cause of her death," said defense attorney Blair Berk, via Reuters.

The defense also requested an open preliminary hearing, arguing that they received little to no discovery ahead of Monday's court appearance. Prosecutors say there is more than 40 terabytes of discovery for the district attorney's office to sift through.

The prosecution also contends that D4vd murdered Rivas to "maintain his very lucrative music career," which he thought would be in jeopardy due to the threat of her revealing their alleged sexual relationship.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 4:51 PM.