D4vd, real name David Burke, was charged with the murder of Celeste Rivas after her dismembered body was found in the trunk of an impounded Tesla that was registered to the musician
The family of Celeste Rivas have released a never-before-seen photo of the teenager days after rapper D4vd was charged with her murder.
On Monday, April 20, the Los Angeles police announced that D4vd, real name David Burke, had been charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14-years-old, and mutilating human remains of a body. Burke, 21, has pled not guilty on all charges.
Rivas was first reported missing in April 2024 by her family when she was 13 years old. Almost two years later, her dismembered body was found on September 8, 2025, in the trunk of an impounded Tesla that was registered to Burke.
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The day after the charges were announced, Rivas’ family released a statement. “We would like to thank the Los Angeles Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office for their hard work,” it read.
“We would also like to thank the people of Lake Elsinore for all their support,” the statement continued. “Celeste was a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance. Every Friday night was movie night and we spent wonderful times together.”
The statement concluded, “We love her very much and she always told us that she loved us. We miss her deeply. All we want is justice for Celeste.”
Along with the statement, Rivas’ family shared a never-before-seen photo of the young girl. The photo showed Rivas standing outside in the snow dressed in a teal-colored zip-up hoodie underneath a purple snow suit. She was also wearing black and yellow gloves as she smiled for the camera.
According to the Los Angeles District Attorney, Nathan Hochman, Rivas was last seen going to Burke’s home on April 23, 2025, and was never seen alive again. Her body was discovered five months later, and it took an additional seven months for Burke to be charged with her murder.
Burke faces life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted. However, due to special circumstances involved in Rivas murder such as such as lying in wait, committing a crime for financial gain, and murdering the witness in an investigation, Burke could face the death penalty if the state of California decides to pursue it.
In a statement shared with The Mirror US, D4vd’s attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter said, “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. We will vigorously defend David’s innocence.”
Burke’s next hearing is scheduled for April 23.
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