Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: D4VD BOMBSHELL: MISSING CELESTE, 13, DECOMPOSED AND DISMEMBERED IN MUSIC STAR'S TESLA
Date: December 31, 2025

Episode Overview

This harrowing episode of Crime Stories with Nancy Grace delves into the tragic and shocking case of 13-year-old Celeste Rivas, whose decomposed and partially dismembered remains were discovered in the trunk of a Tesla registered to rising music star David Anthony Burke, known as D4VD. Nancy Grace, alongside expert guests and investigative reporters, methodically unpacks the timeline, the behavior of those involved, and the ongoing investigation while questioning the lack of current charges. The episode lays bare the disturbing circumstances, discusses the possible legal defenses, and highlights critical public and investigative responses.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Discovery of Celeste's Remains and Scene Details

• Body Found in Tesla: Celeste, missing at 13, was discovered decomposing and dismembered in the front trunk of a Tesla Model Y, abandoned on a Hollywood Hills street for weeks.
  • “Residents in Hollywood Hills grow tired of a dusty 2023 Tesla Model Y with a Texas plate parked on the street for a month and report the vehicle. Employees at Hollywood Tow notice a foul odor coming from the car and call police.” — Melissa McCarty [03:25]
• Police note severe decomposition, dismemberment, and the body wrapped in plastic.
• Identification required forensics due to decomposition, though unique finger tattoos (“sh”, “David”) aided in confirmation.
  • “Isn't it true, Dave, that she was so decomposed she had to be forensically identified?” — Nancy Grace [06:56]
  • “The remains that they have are somewhere in the neighborhood of 70 pounds… they were able to use that [tattoo].” — Joe Scott Morgan [07:36]

Timeline and Relationship

• Runaway History & Music Star Connection:
  • Celeste began communicating online with D4VD at age 13 after attending his concert.
  • She ran away to Hollywood to see him, was sent home, but soon disappeared again after being picked up by Burke in his Tesla.
  • “Celeste ran away to Hollywood to see the rising star… In May, David picked Celeste up in a Tesla to go to the movies and she has been gone ever since.” — Melissa McCarty [10:01]
• Age & Parental Awareness:
  • Friends and even her mother’s acquaintance knew of the relationship with Burke but did not intervene.
    • “Her mother… says the family was aware of the relationship with Burke. She doesn't know why they didn't ask where she had been staying…” — Melissa McCarty [37:47]
• Videos, photos, and social posts show Celeste living with Burke well before her disappearance.

Behavior of David Burke (D4VD) Post-Discovery

• Continued Touring and Media Actions:
  • Even after the body was found, Burke continued his world tour until online pressure grew.
    • “It's unbelievable, Nancy, that bloody remains are found in a vehicle registered to you, yet you continue on this world tour…” — Dave Mack [15:29]
  • His tour and album release were only canceled after public outcry and the victim was named.
• Suspicious Online Activity:
  • Burke deleted videos/images depicting “bloody shirts” and repeatedly reposted edgy memes about violence.
    • “I can't wait for you to try that on the jury. This was his artistic expression…” — Nancy Grace [14:25]
  • He remains silent regarding Celeste’s death, except for trying to control the social narrative.

Forensic Developments and Timeline Analysis

• Vehicle Surveillance and Movement:
  • Private investigator Steve Fisher mapped exact dates and locations of the Tesla using neighborhood surveillance and Department of Transportation records.
    • “It moved to that last spot on July 29 at about 11, something in the morning… it had not been used in a long time.” — Steve Fisher [28:41]
  • The Tesla’s cameras and internal alerts provide additional digital evidence.
    • “There’s almost a 360-degree video of the surroundings of the car…” — Joe Scott Morgan [33:02]
• Timeline Clarity:
  • Celeste was last seen alive late August (possibly at a D4VD Maryland concert, 08/24), and the Tesla was reported abandoned 09/03, body found 09/08.
• Cause of Death (COD) Unclear:
  • Severe decomposition complicates toxicology results.
    • “In my experience, a toxicology report… would have come back by now, which leaves me concerned… she basically baked and melted in that Tesla trunk.” — Nancy Grace [43:27]
  • Multiple prescription drug bottles and paraphernalia found in residence, giving rise to possible alternate COD theories for the defense.

Those Close to Burke and Potential Witnesses

• Household Dynamics:
  • The Hollywood Hills mansion, previously owned by Halle Berry, was leased by Burke’s manager, but used as a base for multiple people (both men and women) in his circle.
    • “There’s a group of four or five of them that are always, always there… his music ‘team’ in some capacity.” — Steve Fisher and Joe Scott Morgan [47:23, 46:38]
  • Neighbors and surveillance confirmed comings and goings, but police have not yet named these core individuals publicly.
• Key Witness Reluctance:
  • A female with inside knowledge (possibly a housemate or romantic interest) reportedly refuses to testify, risking jail for contempt of grand jury.
    • “A witness can be put in jail if they refuse to testify… It’s a female Witness against Burke, who is refusing to testify, and she has lawyered up.” — Nancy Grace [53:02]

Legal Strategies & Social Reactions

• Potential Defenses:
  • Prescription drug bottles may be used by defense to argue accidental overdose (no clear COD).
  • Dismemberment, hiding the body, and social media activity indicate consciousness of guilt, per legal experts.
• Public & Online Response:
  • Young fans, social media personalities, and conspiracy theorists alternatively claim it’s a setup, a satanic ritual, or PR stunt, while others vehemently defend Burke’s innocence.
    • “I'm gonna be honest. David did not do it, man.” — Joe Scott Morgan [49:56]
    • “Just think about it, bro. That is from Ilaray 3. It is from Curiosio 2…” — Nancy Grace [50:10]
• Investigation Updates:
  • LAPD now reportedly treating the case as a homicide with focus on Burke due to evidence of road trip to remote area with incriminating timeline overlap.
  • An arrest is called “imminent,” but hinges on witness testimony and official determination of cause of death.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On the Discovery and Shock:
  • “One of the dumbest people in the world… to leave the body of his girlfriend in a trunk of his car. I definitely smell a rat.” — Nancy Grace [02:56-03:03]
• On Social Media and Public Image:
  • “Me if I see her talk with other dudes… not a good look when your then 13-year-old girlfriend is found dismembered and decomposing in your Tesla.” — Nancy Grace [04:08]
• On Tattoo Identification and Odd Parallels:
  • “She had to be forensically identified… specifically one tattoo, a tiny tattoo on the inside of her finger that says ‘sh’… he, David… has the same tattoo on his index finger. What a coincidence. Isn't that odd?” — Nancy Grace [08:10-09:22]
• On the Lyrics of ‘Romantic Homicide’:
  • “In the back of my mind I killed you and I didn’t even regret it… do I love you? No, I hate you.” — Nancy Grace (quoting lyrics) [11:46]
• On Legal Defenses and Public Relations:
  • “I can’t wait for you to try that on the jury… This was his artistic expression…” — Nancy Grace [14:25]
• On Continuing the Tour:
  • “He went on about his daily business after a bloody, chopped up, decomposed corpse was found in his abandoned car. Nancy, think about all this.” — Dave Mack [15:29]
• On the Unreported Missing Status:
  • “Did nobody say, hey, where’s Celeste? Apparently not because she was never reported missing by either him or her parents.... Nor was his car reported stolen. Interesting, right?“ — Nancy Grace [38:12]
• On the Potential Legal Limbo:
  • “Does this mean no one will answer up for a dead teen girl decomposing in a hot car trunk?” — Nancy Grace [42:08]
• On the Core Question:
  • “Let’s just cut through it. All I need is one witness, one witness to crack, one of Burke’s insiders to tell the truth about the night Celeste died. Otherwise, no one is going to be held responsible.” — Nancy Grace [47:48]
• On Conspiracy, Setup, and Coverage:
  • “That actually hurt my ear. My ears are bleeding.” — Nancy Grace [48:53]
• On the Manager’s Response & ETHICS:
  • “Shame on you. You actually said… you didn’t have any duty to call and report a dead girl in a trunk. All you wanted to do was continue with the tour. You know what? Pontius Pilate? Just washing your hands and looking the other way. It ain't working this time.” — Nancy Grace [56:34]
• On Responsibility & Appeal for Information:
  • “You can either get involved, be a part of the solution, or you can stand back and do nothing and be part of the problem. Tonight we remember an American hero...” — Nancy Grace [56:34–end]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• [02:35-04:08] – Narrative of discovery, body state, and vehicle timeline
• [06:02-09:22] – Community suspicions, forensic identification, revealing tattoos
• [10:01-12:23] – Relationship history and timeline; D4VD’s background and musical trajectory
• [12:23-14:35] – “Romantic Homicide” lyrics; PR strategy and removal of incriminating images
• [15:07-16:11] – Burke’s continued performances post-body discovery
• [18:00-20:26] – Timeline construction with concert, disappearance, and video/photo evidence
• [28:41-31:38] – Vehicle movement details unearthed via surveillance and automotive data
• [32:17-33:42] – Physical realities of concealing body in Tesla; forensic camera evidence
• [35:00-38:12] – Testimony from Celeste’s friends and family, highlighting missed opportunities
• [41:32-44:24] – Discovery of drugs and paraphernalia; legal implications for defense
• [50:26-53:02] – Internet reactions, changing police focus, and timeline update
• [53:02-56:34] – Grand jury developments, witness scuffles, and ethical condemnation
• [56:34–end] – Urgent call for witnesses and final reflections

Conclusion

This episode meticulously constructs the circumstances around Celeste Rivas’s tragic end, scrutinizing both the timeline and those connected to the case. It merges detailed investigations, forensic analysis, public outrage, and legal speculation, while offering a sobering look at missed interventions and potential barriers to justice. Nancy Grace’s passionate, pointed tone drives home the urgency for answers and accountability, culminating in a direct appeal for witness cooperation and community involvement. The case remains active, with the next developments hinging on both forensic breakthroughs and reluctant witnesses coming forward.

If you have any information on the murder of Celeste Rivas, contact LAPD at 213-486-6890.