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The D4vd death penalty debate grew after the family of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez called for capital punishment if singer D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, is found guilty of her death.
Burke is facing murder and other charges in Los Angeles County. He has been accused of killing Hernandez. Prosecutors allege that she was killed in April 2025, and her body was later found in the trunk of a Tesla linked to an address associated with Burke in September 2025.
The case came to light in September 2025 after investigators located the vehicle and found the remains inside. Burke has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent until he is proven guilty in court.
D4vd death penalty
The D4vd case moved forward after a preliminary hearing in July. Prosecutors presented evidence about Burke’s alleged relationship with Hernandez, including text messages and other materials. In July, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge said prosecutors had presented enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial.
Those allegations have not been proven in court. Reports have also said that Burke’s management company and finance manager previously denied knowing about a relationship between Burke and Hernandez.
Prosecutors said the victim had threatened to expose her alleged relationship with Burke shortly before her death. Text messages shown during the hearing were presented as evidence. Prosecutors argued that both the alleged relationship and the threat were connected to her death.
The family is demanding the death penalty and has filed a civil lawsuit seeking financial damages over Hernandez’s death. The latest developments add another layer to a criminal case that has drawn significant public attention.
The family of the victim has asked prosecutors to pursue the death penalty if Burke is found guilty of murder. The request was made in a statement released on what would have been Hernandez’s 16th birthday.
The family said their stance reflects how serious the case is and the pain they are experiencing. However, the request does not mean that the death penalty has been imposed or that prosecutors have decided to pursue it.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said prosecutors are considering whether to pursue capital punishment. However, no decision has been announced yet on whether they will seek the D4vd death penalty.
Burke’s lawyers are challenging parts of the prosecution’s evidence. He has denied the charges. In late August, he switched lawyers, dropping his private defense team and moving to the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office.
Burke pleaded not guilty to the charges and is now represented by a public defender. His next court date is set for October 19, while his trial has been moved to next year.
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