Podcast Summary: "What the Hell is Going On with Investigation into Teen’s Body Found in D4vd Tesla?"
Podcast: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present
Host: iHeartPodcasts
Episode Date: September 26, 2025
Overview
In this deeply unsettling episode, Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes dissect the rapidly developing case involving the discovery of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez's dismembered body in the trunk of a Tesla registered to rising music star d4vd (David Anthony Burke). The hosts examine the facts, public speculation, and open questions surrounding the ongoing police investigation, noting the lack of official details and the rampant rumors circulating online.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Case Background and State of Investigation
- Body Discovery: Celeste’s decomposing, dismembered body was found in the trunk of a Tesla registered to singer d4vd (David Anthony Burke, age 20).
- [03:14] Amy Robach: “Her body was found not intact and so her body was dismembered.”
- Police Communications: Authorities have not yet declared the case a homicide nor named any suspects or persons of interest.
- [04:19] T.J. Holmes: "They have not said it's a homicide investigation officially. They have certainly not said anyone is a person of interest or a suspect of any kind."
- Forensic Focus: Investigators have completed examination of Celeste’s remains (now released to her family), implying they're awaiting or reviewing toxicology and forensics.
- [06:11] T.J. Holmes: “They release the body. That means they are done with that examination. So the only thing that would be left would be what? Toxicology, what else?”
2. Relationship between d4vd and Celeste
- Unclear Connection: No official statement on their relationship, though online speculation runs rampant based on social media posts and d4vd’s song lyrics.
- [07:15] T.J. Holmes: "Online, they'll tell you it is well established, but authorities officially have not mentioned what they believe the relationship [is], if there even was one."
- Public and Media Scrutiny: Lyrics, song titles (notably, "Romantic Homicide"), and a leaked track named "Celeste" have fueled speculation, but hosts urge caution against conclusions without facts.
- [07:50] Amy Robach: “People have pointed to that and started to try to read between the lines with, again, his songwriting.”
3. Timeline and Crime Scene
- Celeste’s Disappearance: Reported missing at age 13; her body was discovered just after her 15th birthday, with decomposition suggesting death at 14.
- [09:19] Amy Robach: “Her birthday comes the next day, they find her body, her decomposed body in the back of that Tesla.”
- Tesla’s Abandonment: The car had been abandoned near d4vd’s Hollywood Hills residence for about a month before being towed due to odor.
- [09:46] T.J. Holmes: “That Tesla, which is registered to David... was parked not very far from the house where he was staying... it had been abandoned in that spot for a month.”
4. d4vd’s Actions and Industry Fallout
- Tour Continuation & Cancellation: d4vd continued touring even after the body was discovered, only canceling when Celeste’s identity became public; his international tour and brand collaborations quickly pulled out.
- [11:48] T.J. Holmes: "He kept on touring, he did not cancel concerts until the name, the identity was revealed of this young woman."
- [19:56] Amy Robach: "Crocs was... as soon as there was even a mention of a body in his car, they immediately took down all of the ads.”
- Possible Surveillance Evidence: The rental home’s owner notes police have access to security cameras which could prove critical to the timeline.
- [20:47] Amy Robach: "There are cameras set up that get everyone coming and going... the police certainly do [have access]."
5. Internet Frenzy and Responsible Reporting
- Speculation vs. Facts: Hosts emphasize the need for caution and skepticism given the lack of concrete information, warning listeners not to buy into rumors or form conclusions prematurely.
- [11:48] T.J. Holmes: “Don’t, certainly don’t believe everything you read right now. ... He hasn’t been accused of a crime. ... Car is his, he owns it. Dead teenager in the trunk, period. Those are facts.”
6. Victim and Family Impact
- Repeated Missing Reports: Celeste was reported missing three times; she often passed as older, contributing to challenges in tracking her.
- [21:52] Amy Robach: “They said she had been reported missing three separate times... she did look much older. ... But you have to actually remember how old this little girl was. She was 13.”
- Family Tragedy: The hosts close by reflecting on the unimaginable trauma faced by Celeste's family—first losing track of her, then learning of her grisly death amidst a media storm.
- [22:47] T.J. Holmes: “There is a family... that’s planning a funeral that’s devastated right now. ... Not knowing where their loved one was all this time.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On official silence:
- Amy Robach [03:42]: “It is absolutely come directly from police that her body was dismembered. So obviously... someone has to be responsible for the state she was in, the condition she was in and the fact that she was dead and not intact.”
- On public speculation:
- T.J. Holmes [07:15]: “Online, they’ll tell you it is well established, but authorities officially have not mentioned what they believe, the relationship, if there even was one.”
- On the importance of caution:
- T.J. Holmes [11:48]: “Car is his, he owns it, dead teenager in the trunk. Period. Those are facts. And it’s okay to probably make some assumptions or have some questions about what that means. And the first question goes to him: Do you know her? How did she end up in your trunk?”
- On the human tragedy:
- Amy Robach [21:52]: “You have to actually remember how old this little girl was. She was 13. ... That is a little girl. And to think that... to find out that she, her life ended the way it did is just horrific.”
Timestamps for Critical Segments
- Opening Overview of Case: [02:44]
- Official Police Information & Body Discovery: [03:14]
- Lack of Homicide Declaration: [04:19]
- Focus on Forensics and Relationship: [06:27]
- Discussion of Online Speculation/Lyrics: [07:50]
- Timeline and Age Details: [09:19]
- Car Location/The Month Gap: [09:46]
- d4vd’s Tour and Cancellation: [11:48], [14:23], [19:27]
- Brand Collaboration Fallout: [19:56]
- Security Camera Evidence: [20:47]
- Family and Emotional Impact: [21:52]
- Wrap-up & Call for Responsible Attention: [22:47]
Tone and Style
Amy and T.J. address the material with sensitivity, underscoring both the need for patience as the investigation unfolds and the caution required by anyone following or discussing the story. Their tone is a mixture of incredulity at the disturbing details, frustration over the lack of official clarity, and empathy for the victim’s family. Throughout, they remind listeners to distinguish facts from rumor and to avoid jumping to conclusions until law enforcement provides further information.
Summary prepared for listeners who have not heard or cannot listen to the full episode. All timestamps are approximate based on the published transcript.