Nearly a year after 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found dead inside a Tesla registered to singer d4vd, her family is expanding its fight for accountability far beyond the musician himself.

Celeste’s parents have filed a civil lawsuit against d4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, accusing him of wrongful death and numerous other acts connected to their daughter’s alleged abuse and death.

But the lawsuit does not stop with Burke.

It also names people and businesses surrounding the singer — including his mother, members of his management operation, a live-in security guard and companies connected to his music career.

The family’s argument is sweeping: they allege that some of the adults and entities around Burke either knew or should have known that the then-rising pop star was involved in an inappropriate relationship with an underage girl and failed to prevent what followed.

The lawsuit arrives as Burke, 21, is already facing a separate criminal prosecution for Celeste’s death.

He has pleaded not guilty.

Celeste’s Remains Were Found in His Tesla

The case first exploded into public view in September 2025.

Celeste’s decomposed and dismembered remains were discovered in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke after the car had been impounded in Hollywood.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner identified the remains as Celeste’s.

Months of investigation followed.

In April 2026, prosecutors charged Burke with murder and other offenses. Then, following a preliminary hearing in July, a judge ruled that prosecutors had presented enough evidence for him to stand trial.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office alleges that Burke had been sexually involved with Celeste while she was a minor and later killed her after she threatened to expose their relationship and damage his career.

Burke is accused of first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child and mutilation of human remains.

Those accusations have not been proven at trial.

The Civil Lawsuit Goes Much Further

The new lawsuit filed by Celeste’s parents, Mercedes Martinez and Jesus Rivas, largely echoes the prosecution’s theory of what happened.

But civil litigation allows the family to ask a different question:

Was Burke the only person who bears responsibility?

According to ABC News, the complaint includes claims involving wrongful death, sexual battery, childhood sexual abuse, false imprisonment, emotional distress and human trafficking, among other allegations.

The family is seeking compensation related to Celeste’s death and alleged abuse, as well as punitive damages. The lawsuit does not specify a final dollar amount, instead asking that damages be determined through the legal process.

Among those named is Burke’s mother, Colleen Burke, whom the complaint describes as having handled financial matters for her son.

The suit also names management figures, Burke-linked entertainment companies and a security guard who allegedly lived at the Hollywood Hills property where prosecutors say Celeste was killed.

An attorney representing Burke’s mother declined to comment to ABC News. Attempts by the network to reach several of the other defendants were unsuccessful.

The Family Says Adults Around Burke Should Have Seen Warning Signs

One of the lawsuit’s most consequential allegations is that people surrounding the singer should have recognized what was happening long before Celeste died.

The complaint alleges Burke began a continuing sexual relationship with Celeste in late 2023, when she was 13.

According to reporting on the lawsuit and evidence presented in the criminal case, Burke and Celeste exchanged thousands of messages.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the civil complaint alleges management and security personnel helped facilitate Burke’s housing, transportation and other aspects of his life while he was allegedly involved with Celeste.

The lawsuit contends that those circumstances should have put people around him on notice.

Some individuals and companies connected to Burke have previously denied knowing about the relationship.

Those allegations will now have to be litigated separately from Burke’s criminal case.

Prosecutors Say His Career Was Part of the Motive

The criminal prosecution centers heavily on what prosecutors describe as Burke’s fear that the relationship could destroy his rapidly growing music career.

Burke had broken through online before scoring a major hit with “Romantic Homicide” and signing a lucrative record deal.

Prosecutors allege that Celeste threatened to reveal their relationship shortly before she disappeared in April 2025.

They say Burke arranged transportation for her to his Hollywood Hills home on April 23.

Authorities allege that was the last time she was seen alive.

At Burke’s preliminary hearing, prosecutors presented messages they said showed Celeste threatening to ruin his career.

They also presented forensic evidence they contend ties her death and the handling of her remains to Burke’s property.

A judge ultimately found there was sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial.

That ruling was not a determination of guilt.

The burden remains on prosecutors to prove the criminal charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

Burke Has Pleaded Not Guilty

Burke has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and remains jailed without bond, according to Reuters.

His criminal defense situation also recently changed.

In late August, Burke replaced his private attorneys with lawyers from the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office. No public explanation was given for the switch.

The civil lawsuit presents a separate legal challenge.

A criminal prosecution is brought by the government and can lead to imprisonment or, depending on the prosecution’s decision and ultimate outcome, potentially capital punishment.

A wrongful-death lawsuit is brought by private parties seeking financial damages and other civil remedies.

The standards of proof are also different.

That means the family’s lawsuit can proceed on its own track even while Burke prepares for his criminal trial.

Celeste’s Parents Are Also Asking Prosecutors to Seek Death

The lawsuit was filed around what would have been Celeste’s 16th birthday.

Her family also held a vigil in her memory.

At the same time, her parents publicly called on Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman to seek the death penalty against Burke if he is convicted.

Prosecutors have not yet announced whether they will do so.

The District Attorney’s Office has said Burke could face either death or life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted as charged, with a decision on capital punishment to come later.

That means the family’s request represents their position, not a decision already made by prosecutors.

The Lawsuit Changes the Question Around the Case

Until now, much of the attention has focused on one question:

Can prosecutors prove that Burke killed Celeste?

The civil lawsuit introduces another.

If the allegations about their relationship are proven, how many adults around a successful young celebrity knew enough to intervene — and did anyone have an opportunity to stop what was happening?

Celeste’s parents are arguing that responsibility should not begin and end with the man accused of killing their daughter.

Their lawsuit seeks to examine the network surrounding him: the people handling his money, career, home and security.

Whether those defendants actually knew about Celeste, whether they had a legal duty to act and whether their conduct contributed to her alleged abuse or death are questions a court will have to decide.

For now, Burke remains presumed innocent in the criminal case.

The people and companies named alongside him in the civil lawsuit likewise face allegations that have not been proven.

But nearly a year after Celeste was found inside Burke’s car, her family has made its position unmistakable.

They are no longer asking only what happened to their daughter.

They want to know who else, if anyone, could have seen it happening — and stopped it before it was too late.