D4vd Family Sues Singer for Teen's Death One Year After Discovery

Exactly one year after authorities found a teenager's dismembered body inside a Tesla, the family is suing singer D4vd for wrongful death. Mercedes Martinez and Jesus Rivas filed this suit in Los Angeles Superior Court on September 8, 2025. The discovery date matches the anniversary of when police made that gruesome find last year.

The lawsuit mirrors claims prosecutors have made against the artist. He faces charges for murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under age 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. D4vd has pleaded not guilty to these serious accusations. But this civil action also names other people tied to the musician. The real name is David Anthony Burke.

The suit targets his manager, Mogul Vision, which reportedly leased his Los Angeles home. It includes his live-in security guard and his mother in the legal fight. Prosecutors and the lawsuit say Burke started a continuous sexual relationship with Celeste Rivas Hernandez in November 2023. She was just 13 years old at that time.

They allegedly exchanged between 8,000 and 9,000 explicit text messages during their two-year connection. The suit claims they discussed the loss of a pregnancy and used the contraceptive pill Plan B. He took photos of her having sex inside his home. The relationship continued even after a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy told Burke she was underage.

In April 2025, Rivas Hernandez texted him that she would end his career and life. He allegedly stabbed her twice then let her bleed to death. Lawyers say this process could have taken a few minutes to an hour. Afterward, he used a chainsaw in his garage to sever the teenager's limbs while trying to collect blood in a kiddie pool.

He is also accused of amputating two of her fingers to hide matching tattoos they shared. The lawsuit alleges others enabled Burke to isolate the victim and facilitated his travel, housing, and security. Management company Mogul Vision leased his Hollywood Hills home and hired his in-home guard, Sheldon Jacques.

Burke's mother, Colleen Burke, ran the firm. Finance manager Robert Morganroth approved all payments and allegedly funded his behavior. Security guard Jacques helped transport the teenager to Burke's home in early 2024 as she repeatedly left her family's home. They knew or should have known of his dangerous propensities toward a minor girl and failed to take reasonable steps to protect her.

The suit claims these entities conspired with Burke in a coordinated effort to hide evidence relating to the abuse, killing, dismemberment, disposal of remains, and destruction of other proof. The family seeks damages from the singer, his companies, managers, mother, and security guard. They claim losses including the loss of love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, affection, society, and moral support. They also seek funeral and burial expenses to be proven at trial. The Daily Mail has reached out to Mogul Vision for comment on these new allegations.

Jacques Burke has firmly denied knowing anything about alleged illegal acts involving him. Authorities could not find contact details for a person named Jacques. This legal battle erupts just days after Rivas Hernandez's family demanded the death penalty if he is found guilty of killing her. They told the New York Post that executing such a person would feel perfect given their view of him as empty, devoid of feelings, and without conscience. The family stated his actions caused pain to their daughter, their whole family, and the world standing with them. But they noted this choice does not lie with them; it rests in God's hands and the California justice system. Ultimately, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman decides whether the death penalty gets applied. Burke faces murder charges, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts. His legal team faced a major blow last week when Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter withdrew from representing him before the trial judge. They explained that they could no longer serve as counsel for the singer. This morning, the court approved their request to step down. The Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office was appointed instead after determining David qualified for a lawyer provided by the state. The former attorneys issued a statement to TMZ saying they continue to support David and his fight against these serious accusations. They expressed gratitude that the public defender office took over, noting he now has a highly capable team of lawyers and investigators behind him. Walid Kandeel, a Deputy Public Defender for Los Angeles County, spoke to the LA Times about this shift. He said they recognize the loss of life at the heart of these allegations and offer sympathy to those grieving. At the same time, he argued that David Burke is entitled to a defense that takes his circumstances seriously and carefully examines the evidence. The office remains committed to providing him with that legal representation.