D4vd Sued for Wrongful Death

Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s parents are suing the singer D4vd for wrongful death. The R&B singer, born David Anthony Burke, was arraigned last week and is currently charged with first-degree capital murder, sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. Celeste’s parents’ lawsuit mirrors the accusations in the case and also accuses Burke’s mother and manager of negligence, per Rolling Stone. The lawsuit also accuses Burke of battery, sexual battery, childhood sexual assault, assault, false imprisonment, human trafficking, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

“At all relevant times Burke was an adult who occupied a position of authority over decedent, a minor, and was able to and did exercise undue influence and control over her, including by providing her a concealed cellular telephone to maintain contact outside her parents’ knowledge, using false identities, and arranging and paying for her travel,” the lawsuit says. 

According to the lawsuit, Burke ordered an Uber for Celeste to his home on April 23, 2025, where he then stabbed her. The remains of her body were not found until September 8 of that year. Among those also named in the lawsuit is Burke’s mother, Colleen Burke, who was his personal finance manager. “Colleen Burke, by approving and funding arrangements that housed decedent and enabled Burke’s access to her, and by hosting decedent, a minor, for one or more nights in her own home with Burke, undertook conduct giving rise to a duty to exercise reasonable care for decedent’s protection,” the lawsuit says. The suit is seeking yet-unspecified damages to help cover burial and funeral costs. In a statement, her family is also seeking the death penalty, the BBC reports, saying execution “would be perfect.”