Memorial grows outside family home of Celeste Rivas after D4vd’s arrest for her murder

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The family home of Celeste Rivas has become ground zero for a memorial honoring the 14-year-old found dismembered in the trunk of a Tesla linked to D4vd.

Less than 24 hours after the dramatic arrest of the singer for Rivas’ murder, friends and neighbors left candles, cards, flowers and stuffed animals outside the family home in Lake Elsinore, about 100 miles from Los Angeles.

Neighbor Kayleigh Cortez, 36, described Rivas to The California Post as a “beautiful little girl” with “big, beautiful curls.”

A memorial for Celeste Rivas, featuring flowers, stuffed animals, candles, and signs that read “Justice for Celeste Rivas.” Pedro Colo for CA Post
Neighbor Kayleigh Cortez has helped to keep the memorial going since Rivas’ death. Pedro Colo for CA Post

Cortez helped to set up the memorial outside the family home, saying she was glad to finally see an arrest in the case. “It’s a very good thing. I’ve been waiting for this to happen. I know cases do take a long time – some people never get justice,” she said.

Cortez said Rivas’ family, while quiet, have acknowledged the memorial in passing.

“When I’m out here attending to the memorial, they do come out and say thank you for everything that I do for her,” said Cortez, “and I just send them a little wave,” she told The Post.

“It’s sad,” added Cortez. “I started this memorial because I have a 14-year-old daughter. She would have gone to high school with Celeste. She was an eighth grader when she passed. I want her name alive,” she added.

Cards, flowers and messages of hope fill the memorial. Pedro Colo for CA Post
The memorial is located outside the Lake Elsinore home of the Rivas Hernandez family. Pedro Colo for CA Post

Rivas’ family did not appear to be home on Friday when The Post spoke to Cortez.


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Neighbor Jamxie Roman, 55, said she remembered Celeste as a happy and talkative child.

“I hope that the family is going to receive justice for their daughter and will be able to find some peace,” she told The Post.

Neighbor Amalia Castro gets emotional as she stops by the memorial for Celeste Rivas. Pedro Colo for CA Post

Roman last spoke with Celeste when her 21-year-old daughter held a yard sale at their home across the street from the Rivas family home. 

“I can’t even imagine if that was my daughter,” Roman said. “How can you comfort someone who is going through this?”

Rivas was reported missing by her family in April, her body was discovered in September. Pedro Colo for CA Post
The Rivas family has remained mostly silent since her body was discovered. Pedro Colo for CA Post

D4vd’s lawyers have maintained his innocence.

“Let us be clear — the actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death. There has been no indictment returned by any grand jury in this case and no criminal complaint filed,” his attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter said.

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“David has only been detained under suspicion. We will vigorously defend David’s innocence,” they continued.

D4vd was arrested by the LAPD Thursday in a dramatic operation. Officers could be heard using a loudspeaker and giving the singer directions to surrender.

D4vd was arrested Thursday for the murder of 14-year-old Rivas.
D4vd handcuffed and escorted by LAPD in exclusive footage obtained by The California Post. © California Post

In exclusive footage, obtained by The California Post, D4vd could be seen being led away from the home wearing grey sweatpants and a black hoodie. The singer was taken into custody without incident.

The street where the singer was living, located behind the iconic Chateau Marmont, was closed off by cops immediately following the arrest.

Rivas’ official cause of death is still unclear, as the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has not yet released information to the public. The 14-year-old was reported missing by her family in April 2025 and her dismembered body was discovered in the Tesla in September.

The memorial has been a neighborhood staple. Pedro Colo for CA Post

Horrifying details were revealed in unsealed court documents about the state Rivas’ body was found. Her body parts were discovered in two different cadaver bags in the Tesla and she had been decapitated.

Rivas’ family has not said much in the months since their daughter’s body was discovered. D4vd canceled his ongoing tour following the initial news of the body’s discovery and has been silent ever since, hiding out in Los Angeles.

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