D4vd is being described as the “perfect” candidate for the death penalty by the family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
The Withered artist, whose real name is David Burke, is accused of murdering 14-year-old Celeste and mutilating her remains in April 2025. He also faces a charge of continuous sexual abuse of a child. In a surprising development last month, his attorneys withdrew from the case, prompting the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office to take over his representation. D4vd has pleaded not guilty.
In a statement shared with The California Post over the weekend, Celeste’s family said they support the death penalty if D4vd is ultimately convicted.
“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,” the statement, attributed to Celeste’s parents, reads. “But that’s not in our hands, but rather in God’s, and the California justice system.”
The statement was shared alongside a previously unseen photo of the teenager. This story may be updated.
As previously reported, the death penalty remains a possibility in the case. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in July that “death penalty considerations are now being weighed,” while noting that “a determination” had not yet been made.
