In the quiet community of Lake Elsinore, California, a local resident has taken it upon herself to honor the memory of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose tragic death has drawn national attention. Kayleigh Cortez, a neighbor of the victim’s family, established a growing memorial near the girl’s home to ensure her life is remembered amid an ongoing criminal case.
The memorial centers on a large banner reading “Justice for Celeste Rivas” and is adorned with flower bouquets, teddy bears, candles, and tea lights arranged to spell the teenager’s name. Cortez said she maintains the site daily, keeping the lights on so the tribute remains visible. “I keep the lights on and build sure they operate so this doesn’t go dark,” she told NBC Los Angeles in a recent interview.
Though Cortez said she did not grasp Celeste personally, she expressed deep empathy for the girl and her family. “She was a real person and lived a real life and deserves all the justice,” Cortez said. She added that she has seen neighbors and families visit the memorial, some kneeling with children to pray or reflect on Celeste’s life.
The memorial comes as legal proceedings continue against David Anthony Burke, the 21-year-old singer known professionally as D4vd, who was arrested in April 2026 on suspicion of murder in connection with Celeste’s death. Burke pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges during his first court appearance on April 20, 2026, according to NBC Los Angeles. He is scheduled to return to court on Thursday, April 23, 2026, for a preliminary hearing.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez was reported missing multiple times in 2024 before her remains were discovered on September 8, 2025, inside the front trunk of an impounded Tesla registered to Burke in the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles. Her body was found severely decomposed, and authorities have stated her arms and legs had been severed from the torso. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office confirmed she was last seen by her family in May 2024 after running away from home in Lake Elsinore.
The case has drawn widespread attention due to Burke’s rising fame as a musician, particularly for songs like “Romantic Homicide” and “Here with Me.” Despite public interest, Burke’s attorneys have maintained his innocence, stating in a public statement that “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.” No trial date has been set as of April 2026.
Celeste’s family, who immigrated from El Salvador, has declined to comment publicly during court appearances. They were present when Burke first appeared in court on April 20, 2026, but chose not to speak to the media. Community members in Lake Elsinore have expressed support for the family, with some leaving messages of condolence at the memorial site.
Local officials have not released further details about the investigation, citing its active status. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office confirmed in February 2026 that Burke is the target of a criminal grand jury investigation into Celeste’s death. Investigators have said digital evidence and surveillance footage showed Celeste was alive as recently as January 2025, months after she was last seen by her family.
For Cortez, the memorial is both an act of remembrance and a call for accountability. “I’ve seen families kneeling down with children, maybe praying to her,” she said. “Thinking about memories about her.” She plans to continue maintaining the site as long as needed, hoping it provides comfort to those grieving Celeste’s loss.
The next key development in the case is Burke’s preliminary hearing scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Los Angeles County Superior Court. No further court dates have been announced beyond that hearing as of April 21, 2026.
Those wishing to follow updates on the case can refer to official communications from the Los Angeles Police Department Robbery Homicide Division or the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Community members in Lake Elsinore who wish to leave tributes at the memorial are welcome to do so, though Cortez asks that items be respectful and non-disruptive to neighbors.
As the legal process moves forward, the memorial stands as a quiet testament to the impact one young life had on her community — and the determination of neighbors to ensure she is not forgotten.