Family of murdered teen call for death penalty in D4vd trial - BBC News

The parents of Celeste Rivas Hernandez say execution "would be perfect" if D4vd is found guilty.

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Celeste Rivas Hernandez's remains were found in September 2025 in a Tesla registered to D4vd's address

The family of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez has lobbied for the death penalty if D4vd is found guilty murdering their daughter.

D4vd, who was born David Anthony Burke, is charged with killing the teenager, whose dismembered body was found in the trunk of a Tesla car registered to his address on 8 September 2025. Burke has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The death penalty is under a temporary ban in California, where Burke is due to stand trial, but in a statement Hernandez' family said execution "would be perfect" if the singer was convicted of murder.

In a related development, Hernandez's parents filed a civil lawsuit against Burke on Friday, seeking monetary damages including burial and funeral expenses.