Celeste Rivas Hernandez's family is speaking out as speculation continues to swirl online about their relationship with D4vd, the singer accused of murdering the teenager.
In a statement shared through their attorney, Celeste's father directly addressed claims that have circulated suggesting financial involvement between the family and D4vd (real name David Anthony Burke).
Rivas Hernandez was 14 when she died. Her body was found last fall in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to the “Romantic Homicide” singer. Prosecutors have recently said they have evidence that Rivas Hernandez and Burke began a sexual relationship when she was 13. They also claim that Burke murdered the young teen — right before his debut album was released — because she was threatening to expose their relationship.
"I never had any contact with this guy, and we haven't received any money from him or anyone in his family," Celeste’s father said.
Patrick Steinfeld, the family's legal representative, described the past few days as emotionally overwhelming, explaining that the details outlined in recent court filings have intensified their grief. According to him, delivering that information to Celeste's loved ones was incredibly difficult, especially given the nature of the allegations.
"I had the heartbreaking responsibility of informing the Rivas Hernandez family of the horrifying allegations submitted in court," he said. "That David Anthony Burke allegedly stabbed Celeste, 'stood by while she bled' to death, used a chainsaw to cut off her limbs, and bought a 'burn cage' with the plan to 'incinerate the evidence.'"
He added that the steady release of new information has made it nearly impossible for the family to publicly process what they're going through. Instead, they've chosen to step back and focus on coping privately.
"There are no words to express the indescribable pain the family is experiencing right now," the attorney said. "They still have bills to pay and jobs they go to every day. All they want is time to grieve and heal."
The case has drawn national attention due to the severity of the charges and the disturbing allegations presented by prosecutors. D4vd has pleaded not guilty.
