Family of Teen Victim Calls for Death Penalty in D4vd Murder Trial

When the news broke that a teenage girl’s body had been found in the trunk of a Tesla, the shock quickly turned to outrage. Celeste Rivas Hernández, only 14, was discovered mutilated in a Los Angeles tow yard on 8 September 2025. The police identified the car’s owner – 21‑year‑old musician David Anthony Burke, who performs under the name D4vd – as the prime suspect.

Burke, who rose to fame uploading Fortnite montages before moving on to lo‑fi pop songs, has pleaded not guilty to a string of grave accusations, including first‑degree murder, lewd acts with a minor and mutilating a corpse. Prosecutors say he stabbed Celeste after she visited his home on 23 April 2025, then cut off her limbs in an attempt to keep her from exposing a sexual relationship that began when she was just 13 and he was 18.

During a preliminary hearing in July, the prosecution presented damning evidence: text messages between the pair, photos of them together – even a picture of Celeste’s finger inked with the name “David” – and the gruesome detail that one of those fingers was among the parts found in the car. They argue the murder was pre‑meditated, seeking to silence a girl who, according to the charges, was already pregnant and had terminated the pregnancy.

On the other side, Burke’s defense team maintains there is no concrete proof he intended to kill Celeste. They point out the lack of eyewitnesses or surveillance footage showing her entering his house at the alleged time. However, the defense suffered a setback when three high‑profile lawyers withdrew in late August without explanation, leaving a public defender to take over.

Amid the courtroom drama, Celeste’s family released a statement on what would have been her 16th birthday, urging the judge to “activate the death penalty” for a man they described as “devoid of feeling, empty inside, and without conscience.” They added that they are still “reliving unforgettable moments” with their daughter, despite the pain of her loss.

The case is now in the hands of the Los Angeles Superior Court. Burke has been ordered to remain in custody without bail, and a trial date has yet to be set. The community, already rattled by the brutal nature of the crime, watches closely, wondering whether the ultimate punishment will ever be imposed.