The family of Celeste Rivas, the 14-year-old who was allegedly brutally murdered and dismembered by singer D4vd shared their heartbreak in their first words since his arrest.
“We would like to thank the Los Angeles Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office for
their hard work. We would also like to thank the people of Lake Elsinore for all their support. Celeste was a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance. Every Friday night was movie night and we spent wonderful times together,” her parents Jesus and Mercedes said in a statement.
“We love her very much and she always told us that she loved us. We miss her deeply. All we want is Justice for Celeste,” the statement, provided by family attorney, Patrick Steinfeld.
Steinfeld added the family was “devastated” after hearing the gruesome details of the case.
Rivas’ dismembered body was discovered in the trunk of a Tesla linked to the singer in September after employees at a tow yard could smell a foul odor coming from the vehicle.
D4vd was arrested for Rivas’ murder Thursday, exclusive footage obtained by The California Post showed the singer being led away from the home where he was staying in the Hollywood Hills in handcuffs.
D4vd, real name David Burke, was officially charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances — murder of a witness to an investigation, murder of financial gain and lying in wait — Monday in an an announcement made by LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman.
He’s also charged with lewd and lascivious sexual acts with an individual under 14 years old, and mutilating a body.
The special circumstance of murder of a witness to an investigation is because Rivas was a witness in the lewd and lascivious investigation. Officials say the murder for financial gain circumstance was added because they believe D4vd thought allegations of sexual relations with a minor could derail his music career.
The singer remained silent during his arraignment and his legal team submitted a plea of not guilty on all charges. Investigators say Rivas went missing after she visited D4vd’s home in April 2025.
Online speculation began to grow shortly after her disappearance that she and D4vd were involved in a romantic relationship — appearing in photos together and showing up at the same events.
Nathan Hochman said Rivas was killed when she visited the singer’s home in April 2025, and he dismembered her corpse in May 2025.
Rivas was only 14 when she died.
Here’s the latest on the D4vd’s murder case of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas
- D4vd thrown in segregation after suddenly moving jails following 14-year-old rape, murder charges
- D4vd remains silent during murder charge court appearance
- Bomb threat before D4vd murder arraignment forces evacuation at courthouse
- Disturbing details of D4vd’s alleged relationship with Celeste Rivas revealed in new timeline
- D4vd had sex with 14-year-old Celeste Rivas, lay in wait before killing her, DA says as singer charged
