Full Breakdown
Family of Celeste Rivas Hernández Seeks Death Penalty and Files Wrongful-Death Lawsuit Against Singer D4vd
9/10/2026, 7:52:44 AM
Core Event
The parents of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernández filed a wrongful-death lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court and, in a statement released on what would have been her 16th birthday (September 7, 2026), urged District Attorney Nathan Hochman to seek the death penalty if singer-songwriter David Anthony Burke (“D4vd”) is convicted. Burke, 21, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. A judge ordered him to stand trial in July 2026; a status conference is set for October 19, 2026, with a trial to follow within 90 days.
Background & Context
Celeste was last seen on April 5, 2024, in Lake Elsinore, California. Her dismembered remains were found in the front trunk (“frunk”) of Burke’s Tesla on September 8, 2025, after the vehicle was impounded in Hollywood Hills. Prosecutors allege Burke began a sexual relationship with her when she was 13 (November 2023) and that she threatened to expose it in April 2025. They claim Burke stabbed her on April 23, 2025, then used chainsaws and other tools to dismember her body.
Data & Statistics
- The lawsuit names Burke’s management company Mogul Vision, finance manager Robert Mogenroth, mother Colleen Burke, live-in security guard Sheldon Jacques, and three corporate entities (D4vd Entertainment, Skullrose Merchandise, Headspace Publishing).
- Burke’s streaming profile lists “5 + billion streams” and “16 million monthly listeners” on a single platform, according to the family’s statements.
- California’s death-penalty moratorium, imposed by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2019, has prevented executions since January 2006.
Official Statements & Responses
- District Attorney Nathan Hochman has not yet decided whether to pursue capital punishment. He previously rescinded the former DA’s categorical ban on death-penalty seeking, allowing it only after an extensive review of “exceedingly rare cases.”
Criticism & Opposition
The family has challenged the court’s determination that Burke qualifies for a public defender, calling the claim of indigence “unfathomable.” They allege his assets are shielded through corporations and transfers to his mother, and that taxpayers would fund a defense for a “millionaire” with billions of streams.
On-the-Ground Reports
Local residents in Lake Elsinore erected a memorial shrine of flowers, candles, and handwritten notes on September 6, 2026, to honor Celeste.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Motive details: The civil complaint emphasizes financial gain and career protection, whereas prosecutors highlight the victim’s threat to expose the sexual relationship. Both narratives lack independent verification.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office has been appointed to represent David Burke,” — Walid Kandeel
- “Only a sick, disturbed mind like David Anthony Burke would think that a homicide is romantic,” — Patrick Steinfeld, the family’s attorney
What’s Next
- October 19, 2026: Status conference; the public defender will submit a mitigation packet.
- Trial window: A trial is expected to commence within 90 days of the conference, pending scheduling.
- Prosecutorial decision: Hochman is expected to file a formal charging document indicating whether the death penalty will be sought, a decision that will shape both the criminal and civil proceedings.
