Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s Parents Lobby for Death Penalty if D4vd Found Guilty of Daughter’s Murder
What's happening
The parents of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez are publicly advocating for the death penalty if David Burke, the musician known professionally as D4vd, is convicted of their daughter's murder. Burke was arrested in April 2026 and charged with first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and unlawful mutilation of human remains after Celeste's remains were discovered in the trunk of his Tesla in September 2025.
Who's involved
Celeste Rivas Hernandez was a 14-year-old girl whose remains were found in Hollywood, Los Angeles in September 2025. David Burke, a professional musician performing under the stage name D4vd, was arrested and charged in connection with her death and is currently facing multiple felony charges including first-degree murder.
Why it matters
The case highlights ongoing debates over capital punishment in the United States and its application in high-profile murder cases involving minors. As a deeply emotional family statement from grieving parents, it also underscores the role victim families play in capital sentencing decisions in states where the death penalty remains legal.
The story
The parents of Celeste Rivas Hernandez are calling for the death penalty to be imposed on David Burke if he is convicted of murdering their daughter. In a statement to Rolling Stone, the family expressed their view that capital punishment would be appropriate for someone they describe as "devoid of feelings and emptiness inside." Celeste would have celebrated her 16th birthday on Monday, marking another milestone she will never reach.
Celeste's remains were discovered on September 8, 2025, in the front trunk of an impounded Tesla Model X registered to Burke, a musician professionally known as D4vd. Following her death, Burke was arrested in April 2026 and charged with first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 years of age, and unlawful mutilation of human remains—charges that carry severe penalties under California law.
The family's public advocacy for capital punishment reflects the legal landscape in the United States, where according to Rolling Stone, capital punishment remains a legal penalty in 27 states as well as at the federal level and in American Samoa, though it has been abolished in 23 states and Washington, D.C. Capital punishment is constitutionally permitted only for murder convictions. While the death penalty is technically available as a sentencing option in many jurisdictions, its actual application remains rare and subject to lengthy appeals processes.
In California, where this case is being prosecuted, the death penalty remains a legal option for first-degree murder convictions, though its use has become increasingly infrequent. The involvement of victim family members in capital sentencing proceedings is a standard feature of the American legal system, allowing relatives to present victim impact statements that courts and juries may consider during the penalty phase of trials.
The case has drawn significant media attention, reflecting broader public interest in high-profile murder cases involving young victims. As the legal proceedings continue, the outcome will likely remain closely watched by both the family seeking justice and those who monitor capital punishment trends across the country.