The parents of Celeste Rivas Hernandez have taken their fight for accountability into civil court. Mercedes Martinez and Jesus Rivas, the family behind the headline that Celeste Rivas parents file a wrongful death lawsuit, are now suing singer D4vd, legally known as David Anthony Burke, along with several people connected to him.
The lawsuit was filed in California and names Burke’s mother, his managers, his live-in security guard, and his business entities. It accuses each of them of negligence in failing to protect a minor from harm.
A Case Years in the Making
Celeste disappeared in April 2025, and her remains were discovered months later. Burke was arrested in the spring of 2026, and criminal charges followed shortly after.
A judge later ruled that prosecutors had presented enough evidence for Burke to stand trial. He has pleaded not guilty and remains held without bail while the criminal case moves forward.
Filing the Civil Complaint
Celeste’s parents filed their wrongful death lawsuit through their family attorney in September 2026. The 20-page complaint closely tracks much of the evidence introduced during Burke’s earlier court proceedings.
Alongside the filing, the family released a public statement supporting the harshest possible punishment if Burke is convicted. Their decision to pursue a civil case shows how families can seek accountability through multiple legal channels at once.
Who the Lawsuit Names as Defendants
The complaint does not stop at Burke. It alleges that several people around him created the conditions that allowed harm to continue unchecked.
Named defendants include Burke himself, his mother, his manager, a finance manager who allegedly helped organize his affairs, and his live-in security guard. The suit also names the management company associated with his music career.
The Allegations Against Each Defendant
The complaint alleges Burke’s mother paid many of his bills and hosted Celeste in her own home, which the family argues created a duty to protect a minor. It further alleges that his manager, finance manager, and security guard each played a role in enabling continued access to Celeste, whether through financial support, housing arrangements, or transportation.
None of these individuals are accused of directly causing Celeste’s death. Instead, the lawsuit argues they had reason to know about the relationship and failed to intervene or report it.
What the Lawsuit Alleges About the Relationship
According to the complaint, the relationship between Burke and Celeste began when she was 13 years old and he was 18. It allegedly continued for roughly a year and a half and involved travel together under an assumed name.
Several welfare checks reportedly took place during this period. Court filings claim that during at least one of these checks, Burke was told directly that Celeste was a minor.
The Night Celeste Died
Prosecutors allege that Burke arranged transportation to bring Celeste to his residence on the night she died. Records reportedly place his phone near a remote location around the same time.
The complaint alleges he made no effort to save her life once she arrived. These details, first raised in the criminal proceedings, now form part of the civil negligence claims as well.
Understanding a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
What This Type of Claim Involves
A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil action brought by the survivors of someone who died because of another party’s wrongful conduct. Unlike a criminal case, which is prosecuted by the state, this type of claim is filed privately and seeks financial compensation rather than imprisonment.
Because Celeste was a minor, her parents hold the legal standing to bring this claim on her behalf. California law generally reserves this right for a surviving spouse, children, or parents when there is no surviving spouse or children.
Grounds for Filing
These lawsuits may be based on negligence, recklessness, or intentional wrongdoing. A criminal conviction is not required before a wrongful death claim can move forward or succeed.
Civil cases use a lower standard of proof than criminal trials. This means a defendant can potentially be held liable in a wrongful death lawsuit even if the outcome of a related criminal case differs.
What Families Can Recover
Compensation in these cases can include loss of financial support, loss of companionship and guidance, funeral and burial expenses, and loss of expected inheritance. Punitive damages may also be available when the underlying conduct involved abuse or intentional harm rather than an accident.
Families generally have two years from the date of death to file this type of claim in California, though certain circumstances can extend that window.
Why Civil and Criminal Cases Often Run Together
This case shows how a single set of tragic facts can produce two separate legal proceedings. The criminal case focuses on proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, while the wrongful death lawsuit focuses on financial accountability across a wider group of people.
Civil claims can reach individuals who never directly caused harm but who allegedly enabled it through inaction. This broader scope is part of why families often pursue both paths at once.
How an Experienced Wrongful Death Attorney Can Help
Losing a family member to another party’s negligence or misconduct is devastating, and pursuing a wrongful death claim can feel overwhelming while grieving. An experienced wrongful death attorney can investigate the full circumstances surrounding a death, identify every party who may share responsibility, and build a case that holds them accountable.
A local legal team also handles the procedural demands of civil litigation, from gathering evidence to meeting filing deadlines. This allows a family to focus on healing while their case moves forward with the strongest possible legal foundation.
If your family has lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence or wrongful conduct, you do not have to face the legal process alone. An experienced wrongful death attorney can review your case, explain your options, and fight to secure the compensation your family deserves.
