Full Breakdown
D4vd Faces Wrongful-Death Lawsuit Over Teen’s Murder
9/9/2026, 7:42:03 AM
Core Event: Lawsuit Filed One Year After Remains Discovered
On September 7, 2026, Mercedes Martinez and Jesus Rivas filed a wrongful-death complaint in Los Angeles County Superior Court on behalf of their daughter, Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The suit names singer David Anthony Burke—known as D4vd—his manager Josh Marshall, his mother Colleen Burke, live-in security guard Sheldon Jacques, and the talent-management firm Mogul Vision. The complaint lists twelve causes of action, nine directed at D4vd, and seeks damages to be determined at trial.
Background & Context: Criminal Charges and Alleged Motive
Prosecutors have charged Burke, 21, with first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. They allege Burke began a sexual relationship with Celeste when she was 13 in November 2023, exchanging thousands of sexual text messages despite a sheriff’s deputy warning him of her age.
The prosecution says Celeste threatened to expose the relationship on April 22, 2025. The next night Burke allegedly ordered an Uber to transport her from Lake Elsinore to his Hollywood Hills residence, where he stabbed her twice, let her bleed to death, and later dismembered her body with a chainsaw in his garage. The remains were discovered on September 8, 2025, in the trunk of Burke’s Tesla, weighing about 71 pounds after weeks in a tow yard.
Data & Statistics
- Victim: Celeste Rivas Hernandez, 14.
- Alleged relationship began: November 2023.
- Transport date: April 23, 2025.
- Body discovery: September 8, 2025.
- Civil complaint: 12 causes of action; 9 against D4vd.
Official Statements & Responses
District Attorney Hochman has not yet decided whether to pursue capital punishment. Burke’s criminal defense team withdrew on August 31, 2026; the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office was appointed and declined comment. Mogul Vision, which allegedly leased Burke’s home and hired Jacques, denied any knowledge of illegal conduct.
Criticism & Opposition
Mogul Vision’s denial is the primary opposition to the civil allegations that the firm “knew or should have known” about the abuse and failed to protect the victim.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the timing of Celeste’s threat and the transport. Some cite the threat on April 22, 2025; the complaint references a threatening text “the night before” the killing without a date. The number of texts is described variably as “thousands” and as “8,000 to 9,000.” No public comment has been obtained from Jacques or finance manager Robert Mogenroth, who is named in the complaint.
What’s Next: Upcoming Court Actions
A pre-trial status conference is set for October 19, 2026. The defense is preparing a mitigation packet for the district attorney’s consideration, and Hochman is expected to file a decision on the death-penalty request before that date. The civil case will proceed in parallel, with damages to be assessed at trial.
