Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s Family Breaks Silence After D4vd’s Arrest on Suspicion of Her Murder

NEED TO KNOW

• Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s broke their silence through a family lawyer after D4vd was arrested in connection with her death

• The Los Angeles Police Department announced the arrest of the 21-year-old singer on April 16, months after Hernandez was found dead in the trunk of his impounded Tesla in September 2025

• Hernandez was 14 years old at the time of her death

Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s family has broken their silence after D4vd was arrested in connection with her death.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) announced the arrest of the 21-year-old singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, on Thursday, April 16, months after Hernandez was found dead in the trunk of his impounded Tesla in September 2025. She was 14.

Two days after Burke’s arrest was announced, Hernandez’s father, Jesus Rivas, said, “Thank God … justice for Celeste,” according to a statement family attorney Patrick Steinfeld provided to TMZ.

Celeste Rivas Hernandez
Credit: GoFundMe

According to the LAPD, Burke is being held behind bars without bail.

Speaking with TMZ, Steinfeld shared insight into how Hernandez’s family plans to handle Burke’s potential court appearances in the future.

Should the singer-songwriter be charged with murder, the lawyer said Hernandez’s family plans to exercise their rights under California’s Victims’ Bill of Rights, a.k.a. Marsy’s Law, and attend the singer’s arraignment.

They also plan to attend any press conference held after the arraignment, where they will speak to reporters, Steinfeld said.

Steinfeld did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Sunday, April 19.

An LAPD source previously told PEOPLE that Burke was arrested in Hollywood Hills on a probable cause warrant, and he has allegedly not been “cooperative in the investigation.”

Announcing his arrest, the LAPD said, “The case will be presented to the District Attorney’s office on Monday [April 20] for filing consideration.”

In a statement to PEOPLE, the Los Angeles District Attorney (LADA)’s office said, “The case is expected to be presented to the Major Crimes Division, at which point prosecutors will review the facts and evidence to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to file charge.”

Burke’s attorneys, Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter, told PEOPLE in a statement, “Let us be clear – 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.”

“There has been no indictment returned by any grand jury in this case and no criminal complaint filed,” the lawyers continued. “David has only been detained under suspicion. We will vigorously defend David’s innocence.”

D4vd in May 2025
Credit: Jun Sato/WireImage

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Burke’s arrest came about two months after the artist was named a target of a grand jury probe, with prosecutors alleging that Burke “may be involved in the death of 14-year-old victim Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who may have been a victim of foul play.”

He had been identified as a suspect in November, a police source previously confirmed to PEOPLE.

Hernandez’s remains were found in an impounded Tesla registered to the singer on Sept. 8, 2025 — one day after her 15th birthday. Her cause and manner of death remain under investigation.

It remains unclear whether Rivas and Burke are connected, though speculation has circulated online.

The L.A. medical examiner previously confirmed to PEOPLE that the teen had a “Shhh” tattoo on her right index finger — similar to a tattoo Burke also has.

However, investigators have not addressed any connection between the matching ink.

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