Celeste Rivas Hernández's family makes shocking plea as D4vd faces trial

Celeste Rivas Hernández's family is demanding the death penalty for her alleged killer, rapper D4vd, stating that such a measure would be "entirely appropriate" as the teenager's 16th birthday approaches.

“If the death penalty were activated, it would be perfect for this kind of human being, devoid of feelings and emptiness inside, and without conscience, who only caused pain to our daughter, our family, and the world that supports our precious daughter,” Celeste's family said in a statement shared with the California Post on September 6.

“But that’s not in our hands, but rather in God’s, and the California justice system,” the family added. 

Speaking to reporters outside a Los Angeles court on August 31, attorney Nathan Hochman said that no decision has yet been made regarding whether D4vd would face the death penalty if found guilty.

It is worth noting that Celeste's body was found in the trunk of the rapper's Tesla on September 8, 2025.

D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, was taken into custody in April 2026.

The 21-year-old rapper was accused of killing Celeste, with prosecutors alleging that the rapper murdered the teenager when he threatened to expose their illicit sexual relationship.