The father of Celeste Rivas has issued a formal denial regarding persistent rumors that he received financial compensation from the murder suspect known as D4vd. Jesus Rivas, through his legal counsel Patrick Steinfeld, clarified that he has never met the singer and has not accepted any funds from him or his associates.
These rumors gained traction on platforms like Reddit and Facebook, particularly within the Lake Elsinore community. The family has expressed deep frustration that they must address these baseless claims while simultaneously grieving the tragic loss of their daughter.
Prosecutors allege that the suspect, legally named David Burke, murdered 14-year-old Celeste Rivas at his Hollywood Hills residence in April 2025. The investigation suggests a complex history between the two, involving multiple missing persons reports filed by the family throughout 2024.
According to court documents, investigators discovered that the suspect allegedly facilitated contact with the teenager by paying a classmate to deliver a mobile phone. Authorities claim the pair traveled together to various locations, including London and Las Vegas, before the situation culminated in the teenager's death.
The discovery of the victim's remains occurred in September 2025 inside the trunk of a vehicle associated with the suspect. At the time of the discovery, the suspect was reportedly on tour, leading to a high-profile arrest and subsequent charges.
The charges against the suspect include first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a minor, and the unlawful mutilation of human remains. He has entered a plea of not guilty and remains in custody as the legal process continues.
The family of the suspect has declined to provide specific comments on the allegations, citing advice from their legal team. They have stated only that they continue to support their son as he faces these serious charges.
As the preliminary hearing approaches on May 26, the Rivas family is requesting privacy to process their loss. They hope that the public will refrain from spreading unverified information that adds unnecessary pain to their ongoing ordeal.