Celeste Rivas Hernandez: Her family finally speaks out
The family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez broke their silence this spring with two measured statements that centered grief, privacy, and a single demand for justice. Their words arrived after singer D4vd’s April arraignment on murder charges and amid heavy national coverage of the Lake Elsinore teenager whose remains were found in his impounded Tesla last September.
Statement through counsel
Jesus Rivas and Mercedes Martinez released their first public comments on April 21, 2026, through attorney Patrick Steinfeld. They thanked the LAPD and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office while acknowledging support from neighbors in Lake Elsinore.
The parents described Celeste as a lively fourteen-year-old who loved singing, dancing, and Friday movie nights at home. They ended the statement by repeating their core request: justice for their daughter.
Steinfeld noted the family felt too overwhelmed to appear in person after the arraignment and an unrelated bomb threat at the courthouse. The written format allowed them to speak without facing cameras.
Defense against rumors
On May 1 the father issued a second statement that directly rejected online speculation. Jesus Rivas said neither he nor his wife had ever spoken to D4vd or received money from the singer or his relatives.
The denial addressed claims that spread quickly on social media after the arrest. Steinfeld confirmed the family has received no offers or payments of any kind.
Both statements stayed brief and avoided case details still under court seal. The lawyer described the parents as emotionally drained and unlikely to grant further interviews while proceedings continue.
Case timeline reminder
Celeste Rivas Hernandez was born in September 2010 and reported missing before her remains were discovered on September 8, 2025. Prosecutors allege the relationship with D4vd began when she was eleven and sexual abuse started at thirteen.
D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, faces charges of first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under fourteen, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. He has pleaded not guilty.
The family invoked Marsy’s Law early to limit public disclosure of personal information. Preliminary hearings are now scheduled for June 2026.
Privacy decisions
Steinfeld confirmed the family has turned down multiple documentary and interview requests since the arrest. They cited a desire to protect Celeste’s memory and their remaining children’s privacy.
The choice stands in contrast to the rapid production of podcasts and video explainers that followed the Tesla discovery. Lake Elsinore residents have largely respected the boundary.
Local volunteers who helped during the initial search phase have continued to send private messages of support rather than press for public appearances.
Media coverage patterns
National outlets carried the April and May statements in full within hours of release. Coverage focused on the parents’ gratitude toward law enforcement and their explicit call for justice.
Some reports noted the family’s restraint compared with typical true-crime cycles that prioritize the accused celebrity’s career trajectory. The emphasis remained on Celeste’s life in Lake Elsinore rather than online speculation.
ABC News and NBC Los Angeles both highlighted the parents’ description of Friday movie nights, giving readers a brief window into the household before the disappearance.
Online conversations
Social media users shared the parents’ words alongside a recent family photo of Celeste. Many posts urged others to center the victim rather than debate the musician’s rising profile.
Critics of earlier coverage pointed out how quickly some accounts had framed the story around D4vd’s music releases. The family’s statements shifted the tone back toward the missing girl from Lake Elsinore.
Hashtag campaigns asking for respectful reporting gained traction in late April and continued into May, often linking to the attorney’s written releases.
Legal protections invoked
Marsy’s Law filings allow the family to request that certain personal details remain sealed during pre-trial hearings. Their lawyer has used these provisions to limit media access to school records and medical information.
The same statutes give victims’ relatives the right to be notified of proceedings and to submit impact statements at sentencing. The parents have indicated they intend to exercise those rights.
Steinfeld said the filings also help manage the volume of public-records requests that arrived after the story reached national outlets.
Community response
Lake Elsinore residents organized a small memorial gathering in late April without media presence. Participants left flowers and handwritten notes at a local park where Celeste once took dance classes.
School officials have kept counseling services available for students who knew Celeste. The district has not released further statements beyond confirming ongoing support.
Local businesses that participated in earlier search efforts have continued to display her photograph quietly in shop windows rather than issuing public appeals.
Next steps in court
The June preliminary hearing will determine whether enough evidence exists to proceed to trial on all counts. The family’s attorney expects limited public comment until that stage concludes.
Prosecutors have indicated they will rely heavily on forensic evidence recovered from the Tesla and digital records tied to both Celeste Rivas Hernandez and D4vd. The defense has not yet outlined its strategy.
Observers note that any plea discussions would likely remain confidential under Marsy’s Law restrictions already in place.
Longer view
The two statements from Jesus Rivas and Mercedes Martinez have set a clear boundary for how Celeste Rivas Hernandez will be discussed publicly while the case moves forward. Their focus remains on privacy for the surviving family and accountability through the courts rather than media narratives. As hearings resume in June, that stance is likely to shape coverage more than any subsequent rumor cycle.
