The parents of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez said an execution should follow a guilty verdict, and they have opened a civil wrongful-death case that seeks monetary compensation as criminal proceedings continue. Prosecutors charge David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, with murdering Hernandez after her dismembered remains were discovered in the trunk of a Tesla registered to his address on 8 September 2025. Burke has pleaded not guilty.
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California currently has a temporary ban on executions, but in a statement released through their lawyer the parents said an execution "would be perfect" if Burke is convicted. On Friday Mercedes Martinez and Jesus Rivas filed the wrongful-death complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court, asking for damages that include burial and funeral expenses.
The civil filing largely echoes allegations in the criminal case, accusing Burke of false imprisonment and childhood sexual assault. Court papers say Hernandez and Burke met in November 2023 when she was 13, and that over the following 16 months the pair exchanged almost 10,000 text messages and engaged in sexual activity on several occasions. The complaint describes Burke as 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 lawsuit alleges Hernandez was killed at Burke's Hollywood Hills home after she threatened to disclose their relationship and after an allegedly threatening message that read, "I will end ur career and ur life." It names Burke, several of his companies and managers, his mother and a live-in security guard, accusing those individuals and entities of enabling Burke to isolate Hernandez and of facilitating his travel, housing and security.
Burke's management company Mogul Vision and his finance manager have denied prior knowledge of a relationship between Burke and Hernandez. In July a judge found there was enough probable cause for Burke to stand trial, and the district attorney said at the time it was weighing whether to seek the death penalty. Burke has since left a celebrity defence lawyer and is now represented by a public defender. Deputy public defender Walid Kandeel said Burke was "entitled to a defence that takes his circumstances seriously and carefully examines the evidence. We are committed to providing him with that defence."
Burke is due back in court on 19 October, and his criminal trial has been moved to next year. The public defender's office did not immediately comment on the new civil lawsuit.
