The parents of the late Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the 14-year-old girl whose body was found decomposing in the trunk of a vehicle registered to D4vd, have demanded justice in their first public statement.
Celeste Rivas ‘Statement on the family
According to NBC Los Angeles, the family, through attorney Jesus Rivas and Mercedes Martinez, began by saying, “We want to thank the Los Angeles Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office for their work. We want to thank the people of Lake Elsinore for all their support.”The family paid tribute to the teenage victim, saying, “Celeste was a beautiful and strong girl who loved to sing and dance. Every Friday was movie night and we spent wonderful times together. We love him so much and he always told us that he loves us. We miss him. All we want is justice for Celeste.”
Why the family of Celeste Rivas delayed the statement
According to the family’s attorney, Patrick Steinfeld, the victim’s family initially planned to release the statement after Monday’s hearing, where D4vd pleaded “not guilty.” However, those plans were delayed due to security concerns following reports of a suspected bomb threat.The family were also “devastated” during the hearing after “hearing the horrific details that came out” and that they were “exhausted, emotionally drained and needed time to compose themselves”.
Why D4vd supposedly killed celeste
According to reports, District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated that D4vd allegedly killed Celeste after he “exposed his criminal behavior and threatened to destroy her music career.” He added: “He allegedly killed Burke, dismembered her body and put her body in two bags placed in the boot of his car.”Hochman said Celeste’s mutilated corpse had been decomposing for four months before it was found. “This horrific and horrific murder by an accused sex predator is shocking and appalling. To Celeste’s loved ones: We will get the justice you seek and deserve.”
About the murder case
The Tesla, which was registered to Burke, Texas, was parked on the street for about a month before being towed to the luxury Hollywood Hills. But investigators believe Celeste’s remains were much longer in the front trunk.“The condition of her remains delayed the medical examiner’s ability to determine the cause of death,” Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said at a news conference. “The length of time between his death and discovery meant that crucial evidence had either degraded or disappeared.”Burke faces charges of first degree murder, ongoing sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains. Burke was ordered to appear in court again on Thursday. He remains in custody.The case remains under investigation.
