The family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez is lobbying for D4vd to receive the death penalty if he is found guilty of her murder.
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The singer, whose name is David Anthony Burke, has been charged with first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, and mutilating a body. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Family of the Victim May Not See the Death Penalty
As reported by the BBC, the Hernandez family said in a statement that execution "would be perfect" if D4vd were convicted of murder. However, the death penalty is under a temporary ban in California, where the singer's trial will take place.
Back in Sep. 2025, Hernandez's body was found dismembered inside a Tesla registered to D4vd. The vehicle had been abandoned in Hollywood Hills, California, and towed to a nearby impound lot.
After receiving several reports of a strong smell coming from the vehicle, police were called and discovered Hernandez's decomposing body.
Hernandez's parents also filed a civil suit against D4vd on Friday, Sep. 4. The suit seeks monetary damages from the artist, including burial and funeral expenses. It alleges that D4vd caused the wrongful death, false imprisonment, and childhood sexual assault of their daughter.
According to court documents, D4vd and Hernandez allegedly met when she was only 13. The family claims that they exchanged nearly 10,000 texts and had sex several times.
"At all relevant times, Burke was an adult who occupied a position of authority over decedent, a minor, and was able to and did exercise undue influence and control over her," the suit reads.
The filing claims that D4vd killed Hernandez in his Hollywood Hills home after threatening to share their relationship.
"I will end ur career and ur life," she texted the singer.
There Was an Important Development in the D4vd Case Last Week
D4vd's lawyers, Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter, officially withdrew as his counsel last week. They said they "continue to support" the singer, and a court-appointed lawyer will now represent him.
"We are grateful that the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office has taken over the representation. And that David has a highly capable and committed team of attorneys and investigators behind him," they said in a statement.
While Berk, Peter, and Berdnarski did not state a reason for withdrawing their representation, it is believed to be financially related.
