Crime House 24/7

Episode: Musician D4vd Named Target in Grand Jury Probe Over Teen’s Death
Host: Vanessa Richardson
Date: February 27, 2026

Overview

This episode of Crime House 24/7 dives into breaking developments about musician D4vd (David Burke), who has been formally identified as the target of a Los Angeles grand jury murder investigation following the disturbing discovery of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s remains in a Tesla trunk. The episode also covers several other high-profile criminal cases across the country—including the fatal shooting of a millionaire philanthropist in Maryland, a quadruple stabbing linked to alleged occult activities in Washington State, a chaotic snowball fight-turned-assault on NYPD in New York City, and a dramatic Amber Alert rescue in Phoenix.

Key Stories & Discussion Points

1. Musician D4vd (David Burke) Under Grand Jury Investigation in Teen’s Death (02:24)

Case Background

• Newly unsealed court records: Singer-songwriter D4vd (legal name: David Burke) is the confirmed target of an active grand jury investigation into the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
• Celeste’s remains: Discovered September 8, 2025, inside the front trunk of a Tesla impounded from Bluebird Avenue, Hollywood Hills.
• Vehicle’s timeline: Parked on the street since late July 2025, towed on September 5th; only days later did tow yard employees report a “strong odor.”
• Horrific discovery:
  • First black bag: contained a decomposed human head and torso
  • Second bag: contained arms and legs, both described as “covered with insects and emitting a strong odor of decay.”
• Identification: Remains confirmed as Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a seventh grader from Lake Elsinore, CA, missing multiple times in the year before her death.

Investigative Developments

• Missing timeline: Celeste last heard from in May 2024, but likely alive as late as January 2025; believed killed in spring 2025.
• Tesla registration: Vehicle registered to Burke in Texas; at time of discovery, Burke was on tour, scheduled to perform in Minneapolis.
• Aftermath: Burke cancelled his remaining US tour dates; label shelved album’s deluxe edition.
• Search warrants: On September 17th, LAPD searched his Hollywood rental, seizing multiple evidence bags.
• Grand jury focus: By November 2025, Burke officially a subject of the investigation; newly unsealed docs state he “may have committed a criminal offense in California, specifically one count of murder.”
• Subpoenas and legal battles:
  • Burke’s parents and brother (in Texas) subpoenaed to testify before LA grand jury.
  • Texas judge compelled testimony after a hearing on February 2, 2026.

Legal and Procedural Updates

• Charges: As of this broadcast, no formal charges or indictments have been filed against Burke.
• Representatives dispute cooperation: Representatives say Burke has cooperated; LAPD sources say otherwise.
• Cause of death: Deferred; autopsy results sealed “to avoid jeopardizing the investigation.”
• Family’s stance: Celeste’s family “publicly expressed heartbreak” and are reportedly considering legal action to obtain more records.

Notable Quotes

• (From the host, on the central question of investigation):
  “If a vehicle registered to your home address contains a dismembered body, it is reasonable for investigators to question those connected to it.” (10:07)

• On sealed autopsy findings and police position:
  “The Los Angeles Police Department obtained a court order preventing the public release of autopsy findings, arguing that disclosure could jeopardize the ongoing investigation.” (11:13)

2. Other Breaking True-Crime Cases

A. Maryland Caregiver Charged in Murder of 87-Year-Old Philanthropist (11:33)

• Victim: Robert Fuller Jr., millionaire, philanthropist, retired Navy officer, found shot in head at Potomac senior facility.
• Suspect: Caregiver and med tech Marquise Emilo James (22), now held without bond.
• Key evidence: Ballistics matched the gun from a later police shooting (February 24th) to Fuller’s killing.
• Motive: Undisclosed by detectives; suspect denied involvement.

B. Washington State Quadruple Stabbing & Details of Alleged Occult Activity (13:28)

• Incident: February 24, Pierce County—man killed by police after stabbing four (three died on scene, one en route).
• Suspect: Alexander Shablikin, violated protective order against mother.
• Mother’s allegations: Claimed son engaged in witchcraft and believed himself “an Egyptian God”; multiple prior reports highlighting danger and abuse.
• Systemic failure: Protective order was granted but never served.

C. NYC Snowball Fight Leads to Officer Assault Charges (16:30)

• Incident: Washington Square Park, Feb 23; large snowball fight escalated, group attacked police with packed snow/ice.
• Arrest: Guzman Koulibali (27), charged with assault; additional suspects sought.
• Response: Two officers hospitalized; city officials address the blurring line between rough fun and criminality.

D. Arizona Amber Alert Rescue: Movers Help Recover Missing Child (17:59)

• Incident: Phoenix, Quick Trip gas station; movers spot woman matching Amber Alert description for 3-year-old Kaylani Rogers.
• Actions: Movers block suspect’s car to prevent escape; child found unharmed.
• Suspect: Marina Noriega (23), arrested for custodial interference; had stayed overnight at child’s home as a family acquaintance.

3. Bonus: Themed Deep-Dive—Mail System Weaponization (21:09)

Feature Segment Highlights (Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes)

• Psychological and societal impact of mail-based crimes, including the 2001 anthrax attacks, the Unabomber, Austin bombings, and Tylenol poisonings.
• Explores how these crimes instill fear by turning everyday systems “into something deeply unsettling.”
• Quote:
  “When someone weaponizes the mail, they don’t just target an individual. They target routine itself. They turn an ordinary gesture… into a moment of hesitation. The fear spreads faster than the object ever could.” (21:16)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On law enforcement’s rationale:
  “If a vehicle registered to your home address contains a dismembered body, it is reasonable for investigators to question those connected to it.” (10:07, paraphrased in legal hearing)

• On the devastation of missed interventions:
  “She said he believed he was an Egyptian God and demanded she refer to him as such… In her petition, Zoya wrote that Alexander had threatened her emotionally and mentally, abused her, damaged her belongings and harmed her cat… a judge granted the protection order in May 2025… but the order had still not been served at the time [of the murders].” (13:56)

• On restoring trust after mail crimes:
  “Mail related crimes are uniquely destabilizing because they collapse distance. The sender doesn’t need to stand in front of the victim. They don’t need to pull a trigger face to face, the system does the traveling for them.” (24:45)

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | Details | |-----------|-------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:24 | D4vd named target in grand jury probe | Discovery of Celeste Hernandez’s remains and case details | | 10:07 | Legal quotes from subpoena hearing | "If a vehicle registered..." reasoning for subpoenas | | 11:13 | Sealed autopsy findings | LAPD’s justification for withholding cause-of-death info | | 11:33 | Maryland philanthropist murder | Details and arrest of caregiver | | 13:28 | Washington quadruple stabbing | Occult allegations and system failure with protection order| | 16:30 | NYC snowball fight/assault | Arrests and city response | | 17:59 | Arizona Amber Alert rescue | Movers recover missing child | | 21:16 | Mail system crimes feature | Intro to the psychological impact of mail weaponization | | 22:00+ | Notable historic mail crimes | Unabomber, Anthrax, Tylenol case summaries | | 24:45 | On trust and mail-related fear | Reflection on psychological aftermath |

Tone and Presentation

The episode delivers its true crime coverage with a steady, factual pacing—favoring concise reporting and focusing on procedural updates, legal challenges, and the emotional toll on both families and communities. There are brief moments of reflection about systemic failures (untested protective orders, lack of early intervention), especially in the quadruple homicide case. The show’s tone is professional but accessible, never sensationalizing violence but highlighting the gravity of the cases and the questions they raise.

Useful for Listeners

• Provides all key facts and the latest investigative and legal developments.
• Distills complex multi-jurisdictional issues (e.g., subpoenas across states, sealed autopsies) into understandable updates.
• Connects isolated crimes to broader themes (ex: mail system weaponization) for contextual understanding.
• Includes direct quotes and memorable language for insight into how law enforcement frames their actions and the stakes for victims’ families.

For more detailed deep dives and ongoing coverage, listeners are encouraged to subscribe and tune in for updates as investigations progress.