The family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez has finally broken their silence after David Anthony Burke, the 21-year-old singer known as D4vd, was arrested in connection with her death. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) announced the arrest of Burke on Thursday, April 16th, months after Hernandez was found dead in the trunk of his impounded Tesla in September 2025. She was just 14 years old.
Two days after Burke's arrest was announced, Hernandez's father, Jesus Rivas, expressed his gratitude and desire for justice for his daughter. "Thank God ... justice for Celeste," he said, according to a statement provided by family attorney Patrick Steinfeld to TMZ.
According to the LAPD, Burke is currently being held behind bars without bail. Steinfeld shared with TMZ that the family plans to attend any future court appearances Burke may have and exercise their rights under California's Victims' Bill of Rights, also known as Marsy's Law. They also intend to attend any press conferences held after the arraignment, where they will speak to reporters.
As of Sunday, April 19th, Steinfeld had not responded to PEOPLE's request for comment. An LAPD source previously told PEOPLE that Burke was arrested in Hollywood Hills on a probable cause warrant and that he has allegedly not been "cooperative in the investigation."
The LAPD announced that the case would be presented to the District Attorney's office on Monday, April 20th, for filing consideration. In a statement to PEOPLE, the Los Angeles District Attorney's office said that the case is expected to be presented to the Major Crimes Division, where prosecutors will review the facts and evidence to determine if there is sufficient evidence to file charges.
Burke's attorneys, Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter, issued a statement to PEOPLE stating that "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." They added that "there has been no indictment returned by any grand jury in this case and no criminal complaint filed. David has only been detained under suspicion. We will vigorously defend David's innocence."
Burke's arrest came about two months after he was named a target of a grand jury probe by prosecutors who alleged that he "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 September 8th, 2025 - one day after her 15th birthday. Her cause and manner of death remain under investigation. It remains unclear if 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.
