'Perfect for This Kind of Human Being': Teenager's Family Demands Death Penalty for Singer D4vd

Celeste Rivas Hernandez's family publicly backed the death penalty for singer D4vd on 6 September if he is convicted of murdering the teenager, one day before what would have been her 16th birthday. Los Angeles County prosecutors have not decided whether to seek capital punishment.

D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, was charged on 20 April with murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains. Burke, 21, has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

In a statement to The California Post, Celeste's family said, 'If the death penalty were activated, it would be perfect for this kind of human being.' The family also acknowledged that the decision was not theirs and said it ultimately rested with God and California's justice system.

The statement makes the family's position public as the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office reviews whether to seek the death penalty. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said on 31 August that no decision had been made.

D4vd Death Penalty Decision Remains With Prosecutors

The murder charge includes special-circumstance allegations of murder of a witness, murder for financial gain and murder by means of lying in wait. If Burke is convicted as charged, he could face either life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.

The criminal complaint also alleges that Burke personally used a deadly and dangerous weapon described as a sharp instrument. Prosecutors allege he killed Celeste after she threatened to expose what they describe as his sexual abuse of her and damage his music career.

Prosecutors say Burke and Celeste began communicating in 2022, when she was 11. They allege sexual abuse began when she was 13, and Burke was 18. Burke contests the charges against him.

Celeste's decomposed and dismembered remains were found on 8 September 2025 in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke after the vehicle had been impounded. Prosecutors allege her body had been placed in bags and left in the vehicle.

Hochman revised the county's policy on special-circumstance murder cases on 25 March 2025. The policy allows prosecutors to consider seeking the death penalty only after an extensive review and says it should be pursued only in exceedingly rare cases.

The policy also requires prosecutors to seek and consider the views of murder victims' survivors before making a final decision. Defence lawyers are given enhanced opportunities to present mitigating information when capital punishment is under consideration.

Hochman said on 31 August that Burke's new lawyers would receive additional time to submit a mitigation packet if they chose to do so before prosecutors decide whether to seek the death penalty.

D4vd Ordered To Stand Trial

A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ordered Burke to stand trial on 27 July after a five-day preliminary hearing. The district attorney's office said prosecutors called 12 witnesses while presenting evidence in support of the charges.

Among the evidence presented, prosecutors said testimony showed that blood matching Celeste's DNA profile was found in Burke's garage. They also described purchases they allege Burke made after Celeste arrived at his Hollywood Hills home.

The judge's ruling meant prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence for Burke to stand trial. It was not a determination of guilt, and prosecutors must prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

Burke returned to court on 31 August and again pleaded not guilty. His private lawyers withdrew, and Deputy Public Defender Walid Kandeel took over his defence after the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office determined that Burke qualified for court-appointed representation.

No trial date has been set. Burke is scheduled to return to court for a status conference on 19 October as prosecutors continue considering whether to pursue the death penalty.