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Parents Sue D4vd for Wrongful Death of Teen in Drug Trafficking Case
Developing
In Short: Celeste Rivas Hernandez's parents have filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against D4vd, alleging sexual abuse and homicide, as he faces criminal charges in California.
In a shocking turn of events, the parents of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez have filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against D4vd, alleging that he sexually abused and murdered their daughter. The case, which has garnered significant attention, follows D4vd's arrest and charges related to the dismembered body of Celeste, found in a Tesla registered to his address on September 8, 2025. According to reports, D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, is facing criminal charges and his family has lobbied for the death penalty if he is found guilty.
The lawsuit, filed at Los Angeles Superior Court, includes multiple claims such as wrongful death, false imprisonment, and childhood sexual assault. In a statement, the parents of Celeste Rivas Hernandez said, "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." This comes as D4vd's legal team has withdrawn from the case, leaving him represented by the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office.
In a related development, Sarah Khalifa, the Egyptian television presenter, and 11 others have been sentenced to death by hanging for drug trafficking and rape. Khalifa's lawyer has announced plans to appeal the death sentence, highlighting the controversial use of the death penalty in such cases. According to a 2025 Amnesty International report, there were 492 death sentences in the course of the year, with 23 carried out. The report criticizes the use of the death penalty for crimes that do not amount to "intentional killing," as required by international law and standards.
What's still developing
- According to state-owned al-Ahram newspaper, they were part of a criminal gang which imported ingredients used to make drugs with the intent of selling them.
- According to the state-run Akhbar al-Yom newspaper, when asked by the judge about her alleged role during a court appearance last September, Khalifa said she had never seen any drugs until she was photographed with them inside the anti-narcotics authority offices.
- However, it was only confirmed a month later after the court obtained a religious opinion from the grand mufti of Egypt - a legal requirement in death sentence cases.
- Prosecutors allege D4vd began sexually abusing Celeste in November 2023, when she was 13 and he was 18.
- The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner subsequently ruled her death a homicide caused by multiple penetrating injuries.
- A judge determined in July 2026 that prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence for D4vd to stand trial.
- D4vd's legal nightmare has just become considerably bigger.
- Celeste's parents, Mercedes Martinez and Jesus Rivas, are also suing D4vd's manager Josh Marshall, his mother Colleen Burke, his live-in security guard Sheldon Jacques and several businesses connected to the singer.
Sources
- Music link