The legal fallout surrounding David Anthony Burke expanded significantly today as the family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez initiated a civil lawsuit against him and his professional circle.

This news comes as a major development in his criminal proceedings—including the withdrawal of his private counsel and his appointment of a public defender ahead of an October 19 trial. And now with these lawsuits, the murder trial shifts toward financial accountability as Celeste’s parents have chosen to move forward with a civil action seeking monetary damages prior to the conclusion of the criminal trial.

D4VD’s is not the only one who is being targeted in the lawsuit, his surrounding are too, his mother Colleen Burke, Mogul Vision his management company and Sheldon Jackis his security guard are a few names named in the lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges they enabled or facilitated the circumstances that allowed the abuse to persist.

A Civil Lawsuit Filed Ahead of the Criminal Trial

This lawsuit comes nearly one year after Celeste’s remains were discovered inside D4VD’s Tesla on September 8, 2025. It also coincides closely with September 7, the date Celeste would have celebrated her 16th birthday, and when her parents publicly urged prosecutors to seek the death penalty if D4vd is convicted.

Is important to note that the filing of a civil wrongful death suit prior to a criminal trial is legally permissible,

Brought by Celeste's mother, Mercedes Martinez, and her father, Jesus Rivas, the lawsuit formally accuses D4vd of killing their daughter on April 23, 2025, at his Hollywood Hills residence.This civil complaint allows the family’s legal team to pursue monetary damages directly from D4vd and a network of co-defendants.

The legal complaint expands to formal count for: Wrongful Death, Battery and sexual Battery, Childhood sexual assault, false imprisonment, Human trafficking and intentional infliction of emotional distress.