Family of teen victim files civil suit against singer D4vd and associates

A civil action was lodged in Los Angeles County Superior Court by the family of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez against singer David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, and a number of his relatives and business partners. The complaint lists claims including wrongful death, sexual battery, childhood assault, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress and human trafficking, and seeks damages to be determined at trial.

The suit also names D4vd's mother, Colleen Burke, alleging she acted as his personal finance director, as well as the head of his music-management firm, his day-to-day manager who lived in his Hollywood Hills residence, and a live-in security guard. Both the singer’s primary recording and entertainment company and his music-publishing entity are included.

"The complaint seeks compensation for the loss of Rivas Hernandez, the alleged abuse she suffered, and the emotional distress experienced by her parents," the filing states.

The case follows a criminal investigation that led to D4vd’s arrest in April 2025 on charges of first-degree murder, sexual abuse of a child and unlawful mutilation of human remains. Prosecutors allege the singer began a sexual relationship with the victim when he was 18 and she was 13, and that he killed her after she threatened to expose the relationship. Her dismembered remains were found in the trunk of a Tesla registered to the singer in September 2025.

An attorney for Colleen Burke declined to comment, and attempts by media outlets to reach the other defendants were unsuccessful. A vigil was held on September 7, the day that would have marked the victim’s 16th birthday.