Matt Gutman (2:39)

Hey, good to be with you again, Natalie.

Natalie Morales (2:42)

So, Matt, give us the play by play here. Legally, where is this case right now?

Matt Gutman (2:47)

I mean, when we're talking about play by play, it's literally Playing out right now as we are recording this. We're in the midst of a preliminary hearing. And so what does that actually mean? Okay, so a judge needs to determine whether there is enough evidence against David to move forward with the case. And here's the basic crux of the charges. First, first degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. Now, the medical examiner just released, or we should say was allowed to release, a report determining that this was a homicide, specifically noting that Celeste died by multiple penetrating injuries caused by an object. It's believed that it was some sort of sharp object. At David's arraignment, which happened on Monday, his defense team asked for this hearing to take place as soon as possible, despite the fact that the prosecution says that it had 40 terabytes of discovery to give them.

Natalie Morales (3:49)

That's where we are right now, 40 terabytes of discovery. That tells me that they've been working on this case for quite a while and they have a lot of information. So the investigation into David, though, it really started with the discovery of Celeste, her decomposing body in his Tesla in the front trunk. And so horrific, it is so graphic. It's very disturbing. I mean, is it believed then that Celeste ran away from her family to go meet him and to go live with him?

Matt Gutman (4:18)

So Celeste's family reported her as missing in April of 2024. This hadn't been the first time in the past she disappeared, but she'd returned home. About a year passes since Celeste's family filed their last missing persons report. And in September, 2025, employees in a tow yard, they noticed this really foul smell. And eventually they found a car. And inside was a severely decomposed and dismembered body. And it was later identified as Celeste. And I remember sitting in the bureau watching this unfold because there were helicopters over it. Watching the work that they were doing, we weren't quite sure what was going on, but something was clearly found in this Tesla in this tow yard, and lots of people in LA were seeing it unfold live.

Natalie Morales (5:09)

It's just so awful. I mean, hearing that and, you know, thinking about what her parents, you know, how they were told and hearing all of these details about how their daughter was found. Question I have, though. I mean, this car found in this Hollywood tow lot, of course it's registered to David. It's going to lead right back to him. He has denied any wrongdoing. But, you know, why did it take now more than seven months to get to this point where they charge him.

Matt Gutman (5:37)

Now, it was pretty quick that we learned that it was his car, so his name was out there early on. But again, the manner of death took a while to get to. And I think for most intense purposes, the DA's office was keeping their cards very close to the vest. They were probably trying to protect witnesses, trying to protect evidence that might have come out. And this is a high profile case. We're talking about a musician who is exploding online, who's doing a national tour, going abroad, very, very popular. And they were trying to do all they could to protect their case.

Natalie Morales (6:17)

I'm sure that they were building in that time as much evidence as they could to make this arrest. Right?

Matt Gutman (6:24)

Yeah. I mean, you know, th. Th. This is something that I think the press has asked for from the very start. We were curious about the manner of death, and typically, the medical examiner's report will be released. It wasn't in this case. In fact, the LAPD initiated a court order preventing the medical examiner from releasing its findings. And, you know, I just want to read to you this quote from the press release from the chief medical examiner. Clearly, there was very significant tension between the medical examiner, the lapd, and the da. So this is what they wrote. Quote, it is unfathomable that they've had to wait. The family's had to wait this long to learn what happened to their daughter. The transparency of the information contained in our findings and reports is essential for empowering the community to make informed changes, to actively reduce fear and allowing the community to. To take informed action. This is the public's right to know. And the medical examiner, in an extraordinary. I mean, I've never seen something like this report actually points a finger at the LAPD for not allowing this information to come out. So the information in that report says, basically, two penetrating wounds of the torso and a wound to the upper abdomen. Obviously, of course, Celeste's body was mutilated.

Natalie Morales (7:46)

Oh, gosh. And. And again, I go back to what Celeste family was. Was feeling and hearing all of this information. They, in fact, have since now spoken and have shared that these findings have caused them profound emotional pain. As you would expect, it has.

Matt Gutman (8:05)

And, you know, during the arraignment on Monday, they were in attendance, but they've said that they're not going to be there at the preliminary hearing. It's just too painful for them, I think.

Natalie Morales (8:16)

Yeah. I can only imagine.

Chime Advertiser (8:22)

Why are people still paying fees just to access their own money? That's exactly what Chime says, that they're here to change. Chime is fee free banking built for you, not the 1% and it's designed to actually reward you. With Chime, members can benefit from up to $1,150 in annual rewards completely fee free. When you set up direct deposit, you unlock the most rewarding way to bank. Plus you get to thousands of fee free ATMs and if you ever need help, time has real humans available 24,7 the benefits really stack up too, like a 5% cash back on your time card in categories you choose a 3.75% APY on savings, travel perks like airport lounge access and features like Spotme and mypay that give you more flexibility with your money. Honestly, my younger self could have benefited from this. Chime is not just smarter banking, it is the most robust, rewarding way to bank Join the millions who are already banking fee free today. Head to chime.comcasebycase that is chime.comcasebycase it only takes a few minutes to sign up.

Chime Advertiser Disclosure (9:32)

Chime is a fintech, not a bank. Banking services from MyPay and ChimeCard provided by Chime's bank partners. Optional products and services may have fees or charges. Stated annual percentage yield on cash back for Chime prime only. No minimum balance required. Checking account ranking based on a J.D. power survey published October 20, 2025. For more information on APY rates, MyPay, Spot Me and travel perks, go to Chime.com disclosures.

Shopify Advertiser (9:48)

You didn't start a business just to keep the lights on. You're here to sell more today than yesterday. You're here to win. Lucky for you, Shopify built the best converting checkout on the planet, like the just one tapping ridiculously fast acting sky high sales stacking champion at checkouts. That's the good stuff right there. So if your business is in it to win it, win with Shopify. Start your free trial today@shopify.com winner.

Natalie Morales (10:20)

Let's talk about the popularity of David as a musician. I mean, as you alluded to, he was very successful, just 21 years old and you know, I mean the number of hits and streaming views and listeners. It's I mean this guy's career was on the rise when this happened.

Matt Gutman (10:43)

Clearly a very, very talented young individual and he gained a lot of attention online as a teenager by posting montages of himself playing Fortnite. He claims he got into creating original music as a way to avoid copyright claims when soundtracking his montages, which is very, very interesting and indicative of this

Natalie Morales (11:02)

young man's talent yeah, and just looking at all of his accolades, you know, his. On Spotify, I mean, he's released two EPs, several. Several singles, a full album from 2021 to 2025. I mean, he's had billions of streams at this point and 3.6 million followers on TikTok. He worked with Fortnite to produce their official 2025 anthem, Locked. And, You know, just going through his music and some of the videos that he's released, the one that caught my attention and a lot of people's as well, especially now in hindsight, is Romantic Homicide. You know, terrible title given the circumstances. The video shows him, though, as a character. He has. I read one of his interviews. He says he was inspired by anime. This was sort of a character of his. It was his inspiration, and it's his alter ego. And you see in that video, this character holding a bloody knife, there is a young woman. I mean, it's jarring seeing some of that now.

Matt Gutman (12:17)

I mean, obviously, David is presumed innocent until proven guilty, but it's not a great look, like. Yeah, you know, it's not a great look. Especially since he also produced a song called Celeste. And the combination of these two things certainly has raised a lot of scrutiny.

Natalie Morales (12:34)

You know, it sounds like this relationship, though, was pretty well known. It was documented, and. And people in Celeste's life apparently knew about it. They even had, you know, unfortunately, when they discovered in the autopsy, you know, this tattoo that says shh. And they both had these tattoos, hers on her index finger, on her right index fingers. So it seems like, you know, they were together and people knew about it.

Matt Gutman (13:03)

And so, you know, her family was aware that she knew David. Celeste's brother told NBCLA that when she disappeared, she was on her way to see a movie with David. And court documents say that she lived with David in Los Angeles. Now, at this point, prosecutors alleged that the sexual abuse began in 2023, when she had just turned 13. Thirteen.

Natalie Morales (13:28)

I mean, and I think a lot of people at home probably asking themselves, so why now? I mean, she was reported missing multiple times. She's a minor. He is a legal adult. So her sexual abuse, according to the D. A. I mean, was that being investigated that far back while she was still alive?

Matt Gutman (13:48)

I think at this point, Natalie, we could say pretty much categorically that, no, there is no indication that her specific case was being investigated at the time. But the Lapdia says that they only learned that there was a sexual relationship after the death investigation was underway.

Natalie Morales (14:10)

So this brings us now to. To the arrest.

Matt Gutman (14:13)

Yeah. April 16th. You know, LAPD flooded the streets of Hollywood Hills. This is LA's prized and highly regarded robbery homicide division. And they moved in to execute the case. And they've been on the case pretty much from the start. And the D A reminds us that this investigation is still ongoing. But the DA so far has expressed confidence that they will be able to prove the charges and that their evidence will hold up in court.

Natalie Morales (14:44)

Yeah, let's talk a little bit about these charges. Because in a case that is so heinous, there are special circumstances attached to this first degree murder charge. For our listeners not familiar with that as a legal term, explain what that means.

Matt Gutman (15:00)

These special circumstances in the case elevate a first degree murder charge to a higher level of severity. Meaning if convicted, David could either spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole or if the DA so chooses, they can go for the death penalty. Obviously very hard in California to do. And the DA said that at some point in the near future they will decide about that death penalty.

Natalie Morales (15:27)

And, and let's break down what these special circumstances are.

Matt Gutman (15:31)

Okay, so the, the special circumstances here, there are three of them. And I'm just going to read, you know, there's murder of a witness. That's one murder for financial gain. Two and lying in wait and the murderer for financial gain and witness. These two go hand in hand. Basically the state is trying to claim that Celeste was killed in order to prevent her from speaking about her sexual relationship. Let's take a listen to Hockman here.

Nathan Hockman (15:59)

As the evidence will show in court, the financial gain was for Mr. Burke to maintain his very lucrative musical career that Celeste was threatening on that particular night.

Natalie Morales (16:13)

So interesting. He's releasing some detail here. The DA mentioning that Celeste was threatening to ruin David's career on that particular night. Is there evidence then that she was able to speak up to police or to go public in some way about the nature of their relationship?

Matt Gutman (16:31)

You know, we just don't know at this point, Natalie. That's what D.A. hockman seems to be implying.

Depop Advertiser (16:42)

You tell yourself no one wants your college era band tees, but on Depop, people are searching for exactly what you've got. You once paid a small fortune for them at merch stands. Now a teenager who calls them vintage will offer that same small fortune back. Sell them easily on Depop. Just snap a few photos and we'll take care of the rest. Who knew your questionable music taste would be a money making machine? Your style can make you cash start selling on Depop where taste Recognizes taste

Taco Bell Advertiser (17:13)

from sauce to dust to nuggets. It's Taco Bell's new Diablo Dusted Crispy Chicken Nuggets.

Depop Advertiser (17:19)

Are they mild?

Taco Bell Advertiser (17:20)

If they were mild, they'd have to change the name to Little Rascal Nuggets or Minor Nuisance Nuggets. Definitely Diablo New Diablo Dusted Crispy Chicken Nuggets. A brand new classic. Only a Taco bell at participating U.S. taco Bell locations for a limited time and while supplies last.

Natalie Morales (17:42)

As for the lying in wait charge, I know you asked District Attorney Hockman about that. Let's play a clip.

Nathan Hockman (17:48)

The essence of a lying in wait special circumstance that we've charged in connection with the first degree murder charge is that he invited Celeste to his Hollywood Hills home on or about April 23rd of 2025, and he invited her ultimately with the idea that he was going to murder her.

Matt Gutman (18:12)

You're saying he knew. You're saying it was premeditated, that he knew he was going to murder her on that day and that you have evidence to prove that?

Nathan Hockman (18:21)

Yes, we will prove beyond a reasonable doubt in a courtroom that the first degree murder charge, which requires premeditation in order for us to meet the elements of that charge that occurred on the night in which the individual known as David murdered Celeste.

Matt Gutman (18:39)

So in a case like this, prosecutors typically don't move until they believe that they have proof beyond a reasonable doubt and a clear timeline. Obviously, D.A. hockman believes that they have reached that bar, but we haven't seen it yet. Neither is the public.

Natalie Morales (18:56)

This leads us to David's preliminary hearing. It's actually happening right now as we speak. Can you give us a little bit of the behind the scenes look at what's happening there?

Matt Gutman (19:06)

You know, I've been speaking to legal analysts about this, and what they're saying is that the defense right now is essentially calling the prosecutors bluff. We heard early in the week the defense wanted this hearing to happen as soon as possible, fully knowing that the prosecution probably wasn't going to be able to have everything that it wanted to prepare. So they are playing a, I guess a form of legal chicken here. Now, the defense says that there is not evidence against David for these charges. They have been adamant he did not commit murder. He is not involved in her death. What they want is for him to be released. On Bailey. So far, the judge denied bail. The prosecution warned that they have 40 terabytes of evidence. And this is kind of a warning in some ways, too, because that's saying, oh, you guys want evidence? We got evidence.

Natalie Morales (19:55)

The Prosecution also revealed that David's iPhone apparently contained a significant amount of child pornography. The defense has meanwhile asked the judge to move the hearing now to next week, which, you know, it appears the judge agreed to that as well. So it seems there's been a continuation in this preliminary hearing. And Celeste's family, where are they in all of this?

Matt Gutman (20:20)

I mean, obviously broken. You know, seeing their faces is obviously very hard. Their lawyers made it clear that they are very private. I think many, many media outlets have tried to reach out to them. And her parents released the first statement since the arrest earlier this week. And I'll read a portion of says Celeste was a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance. Every Friday night was movie night and we spent wonderful times together. We love her very much and she always told us that she loved us. We miss her deeply. All we want is justice for Celeste.

Natalie Morales (21:03)

It's just such a tragic case and story, but it is this family's life. Now. Again, David is denying any wrongdoing, but this is going to be clearly something that parents listening to, watching will be wanting to hear more about how this all could happen.

Matt Gutman (21:24)

It's just beyond imagination. So, yeah, this is a very dark case and it's probably going to take some time to play out and it will be in the headlines from now until, I assume long after this case is completely wrapped up.

Natalie Morales (21:42)

We are of course going to continue to follow this developing story as new information is being released. We'll bring it to you. And again, Matt, thank you for being, you know, the person there doing all the work for us here and making it easier.

Matt Gutman (21:55)

Thanks for having me again.

Natalie Morales (21:57)

We will be back next week with another episode of Case by Case. Be sure to rate and review and let us know which cases you are following.

Ryan Reynolds (22:11)

Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile with a message for everyone paying big wireless way too much. Please, for the love of everything good in this world, stop with Mint. You can get premium wireless for just $15 a month. Of course, if you enjoy overpaying. No judgments. But that's weird. Okay, one judgment anyway. Give it a try. @mintmobile.com Switch upfront payment of 45 for

Chime Advertiser Disclosure (22:33)

3 month plan equivalent to 15 per month required intro rate first 3 months only, then full price plan options available, taxes and fees extra. See full terms@mint mobile.com hey sweetie.

Carvana Advertiser (22:42)

Your mother showed me this Carvana thing for selling the car. I'm gonna give it a try. Wish me luck. Me again. I put in the license plate. It gave me an offer. Unbelievable. Okay, I accepted the offer. They're picking it up Tuesday from the driveway. I haven't even left my chair. It's done. The car is gone. I'm holding a check anyway. Carvana. Give it a whirl. Love ya.

Natalie Morales (23:04)

So good you'll want to leave a voicemail about it. Sell your car today on Carvana.

Chime Advertiser Disclosure (23:09)

Pickup fees may apply.