Family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez calls for singer to face death penalty
NBC News • • entertainment
Key Points:
- The family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez is demanding the death penalty for singer D4vd (David Anthony Burke) after a judge ordered him to stand trial for her murder; her dismembered remains were found in the trunk of his Tesla in Los Angeles last year.
- The teen’s parents described Burke as "devoid of feelings" and expressed deep grief on what would have been Celeste’s 16th birthday, emphasizing the pain caused to their family and supporters.
- Burke, 21, was arrested in April and has pleaded not guilty to charges including murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains; prosecutors revealed he began a relationship with Celeste when she was 13.
- Text messages presented in court indicated Celeste became pregnant by Burke and later had an abortion; Burke recently dismissed his private legal team and requested public defenders, a move criticized by the victim’s family attorney given Burke’s financial status.
- The case has drawn public attention due to Burke’s social media fame and the brutal nature of the crime, with the family and legal representatives calling for justice and accountability.
