TRUE CRIME NEWSCeleste Rivas’ Parents Slam D4vd Over 'Indigent' Claim Despite 5+ Billion Streams
Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s parents slammed D4vd’s claim of financial hardship.
Sept. 1 2026, Published 4:54 a.m. ET
Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s parents aren’t buying D4vd’s claim that he is broke and unable to afford his high-powered legal team.
The family is speaking out after David Anthony Burke, who performs as D4vd, was deemed eligible for a court-appointed attorney in the ongoing case over the death of 14-year-old Celeste.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s Parents Questioned David Anthony Burke’s 'Indigent' Claim
Patrick Steinfeld called David Anthony Burke’s indigent status 'unfathomable.'
Through their attorney, Patrick Steinfeld, the Rivas Hernandez family told TMZ they were “shocked to learn that David Anthony Burke claims to be indigent.”
“It is unfathomable that our justice system qualifies David Anthony Burke as indigent when D4vd has 5+ billion streams with 16 million monthly listeners on a single streaming platform, and controls three corporations,” Steinfeld said, pointing specifically to D4vd Entertainment, Skullrose Merchandising and Headspace Publishing.
"David Anthony Burke is not indigent. His assets are protected by his companies. Perhaps he would have money if he just asked one of his corporations,” the attorney continued.
D4vd Lost Private Legal Team After Claiming Financial Hardship
Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s family raised questions over D4vd's corporate assets.
The comments came after D4vd became represented by the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office. His longtime private attorneys, Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter, were granted permission to withdraw from the case Monday after the court determined that Burke qualified for appointed counsel.
In a statement per USA Today, the attorneys said they “continue to support David and his defense against these serious charges,” adding that they were grateful the public defender’s office had taken over and that Burke now has “a highly capable and committed team of attorneys and investigators behind him.”
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D4VD lost his private lawyers and got a public defender.
But the change in representation has clearly frustrated Celeste’s family.
Steinfeld stated Los Angeles residents should be “outraged,” arguing that taxpayers will now be “picking the tab to defend this millionaire” against charges including murder, continuous sexual assault of a minor under 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
The family attorney also pointed to testimony from D4vd’s preliminary hearing, alleging that the singer transferred assets to his mother and manager, Colleen Burke, in what Steinfeld described as a “blatant attempt to protect his estate from any civil suit” and prevent Celeste’s family from accessing the money.
D4vd's next court appearance is scheduled for October 19.
Despite the dispute over D4vd’s finances, Celeste’s parents say their priority remains their daughter.
“We as a family only want justice for Celeste and for whoever is responsible to face the full force of the law,” they said through Steinfeld, adding, “And we thank everyone for supporting our daughter in every way.”
The rapper has maintained his innocence. He is charged with first-degree murder, continuous lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains. A judge ruled after a five-day preliminary hearing in July that there was sufficient evidence for the case to proceed.
The 21-year-old’s next court appearance is scheduled for October 19.
