The father of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez has spoken out following the arrest of musician D4vd, who stands accused of her murder. Jesus Rivas, through his attorney Patrick Steinfeld, offered a brief but poignant statement: "Thank God. Justice for Celeste."
D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, was taken into custody by the Los Angeles Police Department and is currently being held without bail. His first court appearance is scheduled for April 20. The 21-year-old artist, known for his viral hit "Romantic Homicide," was arrested in connection with the death of Rivas Hernandez, whose body was discovered in early September.
"Let us be clear," D4vd's legal team stated in response to the allegations, "the actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death."
The discovery was made when police responded to reports of a foul odor emanating from a vehicle in a Hollywood tow yard. The remains were found in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to the singer. Authorities have faced challenges in the investigation due to the condition of the body.
LAPD Capt. Scot Williams noted that the teenager, who had been reported missing from Lake Elsinore in April 2024, had been "dead for at least several weeks" before her discovery. The medical examiner's report cited the "severely decomposed" state as a hindrance to determining an exact time of death.
Rivas Hernandez was laid to rest in October at Queen of Heaven Cemetery and Mortuary in Rowland Heights, California. A fundraiser organized to cover burial costs described her as a "beloved daughter, sister, cousin, and friend," adding that her family was "heartbroken and devastated by this tragic loss."