The family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez has finally spoken out following the tragic and shocking death of the 14-year-old girl. Her remains were discovered last year in a Tesla connected to musician D4vd, marking a dark chapter in what was once a promising young life.

Their heartfelt statement was released on Tuesday, just a day after prosecutors announced first-degree murder charges against the singer, linking him to the teenager’s untimely death.

Expressing their gratitude and sorrow, the family acknowledged the efforts of the investigation team and the unwavering support from their community. They painted a picture of Celeste as a lively and spirited young girl, whose love for singing and dancing brought joy to those around her.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Los Angeles Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office for their dedication. Our gratitude also goes to the residents of Lake Elsinore for their support. Celeste was a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance. Every Friday night was movie night, and we cherished those moments together,” the family shared in their statement.

“We love her dearly, and she always expressed her love for us. Her absence leaves a void in our lives, and our only wish now is to seek justice for Celeste,” they added.

The charges against the singer have brought forward crucial details, shedding light on a case that has largely been shrouded in secrecy since Hernandez was found dead seven months ago. These developments mark significant progress in a grim and harrowing investigation.

The D4vd, 21, whose legal name is David Burke, was charged with first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a person under 14 and mutilating a body, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said.

A defense lawyer entered not guilty pleas to all counts on behalf of Burke, who made his first court appearance Monday. 

The family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez released their first public statement after a suspect was charged with her murder

Musician D4vd has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez

D4vd and the late teen are seen in a picture that is believed to have been taken in May 2024

He appeared behind glass in a custody area, dressed in black. A judge said he would continue to be held without bail.

The girl’s parents appeared at the hearing. They looked down as they entered the courtroom and sat in the gallery. 

Authorities alleged the Houston-born alt-pop singer killed  Hernandez to protect a career on the rise after she threatened to report their sexual relationship.

 His debut album, ‘Withered,’ was released just two days after authorities said she was last known to be alive. 

She was reported missing by her family in 2024, when she was 13.

That was her age when, according to allegations in a criminal complaint, the singer engaged in continuous sexual abuse of her for at least a year from September 2023 to September 2024.

California law penalizes abuse of a child under 14 especially harshly.

Authorities described her as a ‘runaway’ when she was killed with a sharp object on or around April 23, 2025, a day she was at Burke’s house in the Hollywood Hills.

Social media started surfacing connecting the musician to the deceased teenager last year including a January 2024 stream that both of them were pictured on 

Murder suspect D4vd was transferred to the LA County Men’s Central Jail on Monday night. He is pictured in March 2025

Burke  was arrested on Thursday in connection with 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s death

Prosecutors allege Burke mutilated her body about two weeks later.

The murder charges include special circumstances – lying in wait, committing crime for financial gain and murdering the witness in an investigation – that could carry the death penalty. Prosecutors haven’t announced whether they will seek it.

The witness Burke is alleged to have killed is Rivas Hernandez herself, who could have given testimony about the sex crime allegations.

‘We believe the actual evidence will show David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez,’ lead defense attorney Blair Berk said in court. ‘We would like to have the evidence come into the light of day.’

Berk told the judge that after media reports of months of secret grand jury proceedings, she would like a public preliminary hearing to take place as soon as possible so a judge can decide whether there is enough evidence for trial.

Burke is entitled under California law to have the evidentiary hearing within 10 court days of his arraignment. Nearly all defendants waive their right to have it happen that fast, but he didn’t. 

A hearing to work out what will happen next was scheduled for Thursday.

‘We´ll be very happy to put on the evidence that weve collected,’ said Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman, the lead prosecutor.

Hernandez’s family broke their silence with a heartfelt statement on Tuesday, stating, ‘We miss her deeply. All we want is Justice for Celeste’; A memorial was constructed in Lake Elsinore, after D4vd’s arrest

Photographs, heartfelt notes, and flowers are among the items left at a memorial for slain teen Celeste Rivas Hernandez

The case is a ‘a parent´s nightmare,’ Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said.

The long-dead body of Rivas Hernandez was found inside a Tesla that was towed from the Hollywood Hills on September 8, when Burke was on tour in support of his album. It was a day after she would have turned 15.

Her family had reported her missing from her hometown of Lake Elsinore, about 70 miles southeast of Los Angeles.

The singer had been under investigation by an LA County grand jury looking into the death. 

The probe was officially secret, but its existence – and Burke’s designation as its target – was revealed in February when his mother, father and brother objected in a Texas court to subpoenas demanding they testify. 

The 2023 Tesla Model Y was registered in the singer’s name at their address, according to court filings. Authorities did not publicly acknowledge him as a suspect until his arrest Thursday.

Police investigators searching the Tesla in a tow yard found a cadaver bag ‘covered with insects and a strong odor of decay,’ court documents said. Detectives partially unzipped the bag and found a head and torso.

Investigators from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office removed the bag and ‘discovered the arms and legs had been severed from the body,’ according to court documents. 

A second black bag was found under the first, and dismembered body parts were inside it. No cause of death has been publicly revealed.

‘I had the chance to meet with some of the family members of Celeste and their grief is incalculable as to what happened to their daughter,’ Hochman said.

Following last week’s arrest, the music artist was held without at LAPD 77th Street Station Jail. He was moved and separated from the general population this week due to his high-profile status

D4vd, pronounced ‘David,’ gained popularity among Gen Z for his blend of indie rock, R&B and lo-fi pop. 

He went viral on TikTok in 2022 with the hit ‘Romantic Homicide,’ which peaked at No. 4 on Billboard´s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. He then signed with Darkroom and Interscope Records and released his debut EP ‘Petals to Thorns’ and a follow-up, ‘The Lost Petals,’ in 2023. D4vd was dropped by Interscope last year.

When the body was discovered, the singer continued his North American tour, but when reports of his possible involvement spread widely, he canceled the final two shows and a European tour that was to follow.