LOS ANGELES (TCN) — The family of a 14-year-old girl who was found dead last year in a Tesla belonging to D4vd has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the singer and several of his associates.
In April, 21-year-old David Burke, known professionally as D4vd, was charged with murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains in connection with Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s death. Prosecutors allege he killed Rivas Hernandez when she threatened to expose his behavior and ruin his career. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 19 for a status hearing.
Rivas Hernandez’s family recently released a statement calling for Burke to receive the death penalty.
The Los Angeles Times reports that on Sept. 4, her parents, Mercedes Martinez and Jesus Rivas Alvarado, filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The suit reportedly seeks damages not only from Burke but from his mother, his managers, and a security guard, stating that they should have known Burke was engaging in an inappropriate relationship with their daughter.
The lawsuit echoes many of the allegations made by prosecutors. Burke’s management team, Mogul Vision, and his finance manager, Robert Mogenroth, have denied that they knew about Rivas Hernandez, according to the Times. The suit alleges that the live-in guard, Sheldon Jacques, helped transport Rivas Hernandez. The suit also seeks damages for sexual abuse of a minor and negligence by Burke’s named associates.
Billboard reports that the suit reads, “[They] knew or should have known of Burke’s dangerous propensities toward, and sexual exploitation of, Decedent, a minor, and failed to take reasonable steps to protect her, to supervise Burke, or to prevent the continued abuse.”
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman has not stated whether he plans to seek the death penalty, according to the Times.
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