The family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez has said it supports the death penalty for singer D4vd if he is convicted in the case involving the 14-year-old’s death. The family made the comments to the New York Post ahead of what would have been Celeste’s 16th birthday.
The comments come as David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, remains charged in Los Angeles County with murder and other offenses. Prosecutors have said the death penalty remains legally possible, but the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has not announced whether it will formally pursue capital punishment.
Celeste’s Family Calls for the Harshest Possible Sentence
According to the New York Post, Celeste’s family said they support the death penalty if Burke is convicted. The family also acknowledged that the ultimate decision belongs to prosecutors and the California justice system rather than to them.
The family’s position comes after a Los Angeles County judge ordered Burke to stand trial in July. Prosecutors allege that he killed Celeste, and the criminal complaint includes special-circumstance allegations that could make him eligible for a death sentence if convicted.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has stressed that the allegations against Burke remain allegations and that he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Burke was charged in April 2026 with murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains. Prosecutors also filed special-circumstance allegations involving murder of a witness, murder for financial gain and lying in wait.
In July, prosecutors presented evidence during a five-day preliminary hearing, after which the judge determined that Burke should stand trial. The DA’s office said a decision on whether to seek the death penalty would be made later.
Los Angeles County’s current policy allows prosecutors to consider capital punishment in exceptionally serious special-circumstance murder cases, but requires an extensive review before such a decision is made. The policy also specifically provides for the views of victims’ surviving family members to be considered.
For now, the death penalty remains a possibility rather than a final decision in the D4vd case. The criminal proceedings will determine whether Burke is convicted and, if so, what sentence he ultimately receives.
