D4VD TRIAL: CELESTE BESTIE, "CELESTE WAS PREGNANT"

Summary

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Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode Title: D4VD TRIAL: CELESTE BESTIE, "CELESTE WAS PREGNANT"
Date: May 12, 2026
Host: Nancy Grace
Guests: Taylor Paris (Investigative Reporter), Dr. Bethany Marshall (Psychoanalyst), Randolph Rice (Defense Attorney), Dave Mack (Crime Reporter), Joseph Scott Morgan (Forensic Expert)

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Episode Overview

In this gripping episode, Nancy Grace covers the latest developments in the murder trial of musician D4VD (David Anthony Burke), focusing on the bombshell claim that the victim, Celeste Rivas, was pregnant prior to her murder. The episode dissects the day's court events, delves into chilling audio evidence from the crime scene, and examines the psychological and legal dynamics at play—raising unsettling questions about the motives and mindsets of all those involved.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Courtroom Behavior & Status Hearing

• D4VD's demeanor:
  • David Burke "smiling and winking" at his legal team as he left the courtroom, appearing "very casual" and "comfortable."
    • "He was very casual as he walked out... he smiled and he winked as he was taken out of the courtroom." — Taylor Paris [03:45]
  • Burke appeared in an orange jumpsuit, shackled at wrists, waist, and ankles. He seemed to have a beard growing in but looked “very young” and “different.” [04:18]
• Legal proceedings update:
  • The day’s hearing was not a traditional preliminary hearing but a status check, as both defense and prosecution requested more time to prepare due to the “volumes and volumes of evidence.”
    • "Today was a status hearing to find out if the defense was ready... they were not. Both sides agreed to move the date." — Taylor Paris [07:25]
  • New dates set: status hearing June 17, preliminary hearing June 29. [07:44]

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2. Psychological Analysis of the Accused

• Antisocial Personality Disorder:
  • Dr. Bethany Marshall interpreted D4VD’s courtroom demeanor as consistent with antisocial or sociopathic personality:
    • "Does not get anxious at the thought of negative repercussions... smug... he feels like he's at the center of things and nothing bad is going to happen to him." — Dr. Bethany Marshall [05:55]
• Motivation for 'Glow-Up'
  • Discussion about Burke's attempts to alter his appearance to look younger and more innocent before the jury:
    • "He wants a baby face in front of the judge... he wants brand new clothes to look like A1L at Harvard Law School." — Nancy Grace [36:29]

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3. Shocking Audio Evidence from the Crime Scene

• Video/Audio Clip Analysis:
  • Audio from inside the Burke home features background conversations about Celeste, implying casual knowledge of the murder among those present, juxtaposed against girls chatting about body glitter:
    • "Tell me more about Celeste" / "Oh, shit" / "Yeah, you killed her." / "Yeah, me and David." [09:20]
    • "While they're all laughing and looking for their body glitter, where's Celeste? Decomposing there at that residence." — Joseph Scott Morgan [12:52]
• Forensic Expert Testimony:
  • Joseph Scott Morgan vividly described the condition of Celeste’s remains and condemned the indifference of those in the home:
    • "Her mortal remains are just on the other side of those walls... in an advanced state of decomposition... absolutely, positively disgusting." — Joseph Scott Morgan [12:52]
    • Marshall observed: "They're dancing on her grave... they're so flippant." [14:09, 18:44]

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4. Legal Strategy & Defense Theories

• Alternative Suspect Defense:
  • Randolph Rice suggested the audio where someone else admits involvement opens the door to an alternative suspect defense:
    • "Somebody else just admitted to this crime. He said, 'me and David.' That means there's an alternative suspect." — Randolph Rice [20:12]
• AI Evidence Challenge:
  • Rice at first questioned if the incriminating video was artificially generated, later conceded its authenticity:
    • "Didn't you say that the first time I threw this video at you? Said it's AI?" — Nancy Grace [21:02]
    • "I think I'm changing my opinion on this. And I think this sounds like it's real. And this is great piece of evidence." — Randolph Rice [21:35]

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5. Celeste’s Pregnancy: Revelation & Evidence

• Bombshell Statement from Celeste’s Best Friend:
  • Dave Mack reported that Celeste confided to her best friend about her pregnancy 12 weeks before her death, expressing her intent to run away to David:
    • "Celeste tells her best friend, 'I'm pregnant and I'm gonna run away to David’s.' It is the shocking motive we've been waiting for." — Dave Mack [21:57]
• Medical Examiner’s Report & Forensic Challenges:
  • Initial autopsy did not find pregnancy, later amended to "indeterminate" due to advanced decomposition:
    • "First they said nothing was remarkable about her uterus. Then they amended: we really can't tell if she's pregnant." — Nancy Grace and Joseph Scott Morgan [25:47]
  • "We cannot exclude, though, however, if she had had a pregnancy that had some point in time, had been terminated..." — Joseph Scott Morgan [24:39]

- Textual Evidence:

• Texts between Celeste and D4VD mention pregnancy, potential abortion, and Plan B:
  • “Plan B in the text. Abortion in the text. ... Things are getting so heavy. I'm scared about everything. They're starting to ask questions. Call me when you see this. I need you.” — Nancy Grace [30:28]

- Defense Spin:

• Rice speculated the “other” voice in the incriminating audio could be the father:
  • "The father may be this alternative killer... match up the DNA." — Randolph Rice [23:20]
• Nancy counters:
  • "He chose, allegedly chose homicide... It's not a true relationship. She's probably one of many, many victims." — Dr. Bethany Marshall [31:22]

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6. Pattern of Exploitation and Red Flags

• Cross-State Travel with Minor:
  • Evidence shows D4VD took Celeste to London, Las Vegas, Texas, and met with family, raising questions about the purpose of travel—possibly for abortion and other illicit reasons:
    • "Allegedly took Celeste to London, Houston, and Las Vegas... Her passport was discovered... evidence she traveled with him." — Dave Mack [32:32]
• Creepy Theatrics at Concerts:
  • After Celeste’s murder, D4VD featured a small white coffin at his concert for fans to write messages:
    • "He is glorifying her death because he is so relieved he has her out of the way... This is a celebration." — Dr. Bethany Marshall [35:10]

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7. Prosecution's Narrative: Environment of Collusion

• Complicity of Others:
  • Discussion about how Burke's family, inner circle, and other adults enabled or ignored his illegal relationship with a minor:
    • "This type of collusion only happens when there's a culture of narcissism... they didn't really care much about people outside of themselves." — Dr. Bethany Marshall [41:17]

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8. Forensic Shopping Trail – Disturbing Purchases

• Amazon Orders:
  • Burke allegedly ordered incriminating materials:
    • "He ordered... a body bag with six handles, trash bags, chainsaws... baby swimming pool, the burn cage (incinerator), and shovels." — Dave Mack & Nancy Grace [39:56]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the courtroom wink:

  • "He smiled and he winked as he was taken out of the courtroom." — Taylor Paris [03:45]

• On psychological profile:

  • "It's like they are dancing on her grave and her coffin, so to speak." — Nancy Grace [14:09]

• On defense strategy:

  • "This is a defense attorney's dream—to hear that somebody else admitted to killing her." — Randolph Rice [20:39]

• On family and collusion:

  • "All these people knew Burke was with a minor... nobody does anything." — Nancy Grace [41:41]

• On evidence handling:

  • "I wonder if he ordered plan B. The body bag, shovels. Much more is going to be revealed." — Nancy Grace [40:08]

• On tragedy and context:

  • "This is a little girl who imagines she's in a true and real relationship... She's probably one of many, many victims." — Dr. Bethany Marshall [31:22]

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Important Timestamps

• 02:37 — Episode dives into D4VD’s courtroom behavior.
• 03:45 — Taylor Paris details D4VD’s wink and demeanor.
• 05:55 — Dr. Bethany Marshall profiles D4VD’s possible personality disorder.
• 07:44 — Hearing delayed due to evidence volume.
• 09:20, 10:21 — Chilling audio evidence discussed.
• 12:52 — Forensic analysis of Celeste’s remains.
• 18:44 — Dr. Marshall on arrogant and flippant attitudes.
• 21:57 — Dave Mack reveals best friend’s statement about Celeste’s pregnancy.
• 23:20 — Rice speculates on alternative suspect/father.
• 25:47 — Autopsy and pregnancy status explained.
• 30:28 — Nancy cites texts about plan B, abortion.
• 32:32 — Cross-state travel with Celeste detailed.
• 35:10 — Discussion of the coffin at Burke’s concert.
• 39:56 — Amazon orders and disposal evidence.
• 41:17 — Collusion and family complicity addressed.
• 42:48 — Episode summary and information for tips.

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Conclusion

Nancy Grace’s coverage of the D4VD trial presents a haunting tableau of alleged murder, psychological manipulation, exploitation of a minor, and the disturbing indifference and complicity of those nearby. This episode is dense with courtroom updates, forensic and psychological insights, and critical new evidence (notably Celeste’s pregnancy) that may shape the outcome of the case.

If you have information about Celeste Rivas’ murder, contact LAPD at 213-486-6890.

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Transcript

[Nancy Grace]

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I can never unsee that.

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[Nancy Grace]

stories with Nancy Grace. In the Last hours the musician D4VD David Anthony Burke in court and caught on camera winking to his legal team. He's not worried about Celeste. This as the bombshell lands. Celeste bestie says Celeste was pregnant. I'm Nancy Grace. This is Crime Stories. I want to thank you for being with us.

[Dave Mack]

Prosecutors say that Celeste was murdered on April 23.

[Nancy Grace]

The person who potentially committed this heinous crime feels like they can get away with it and no one else knows what happened. He pays it to have Celeste brought to him like she's a pizza straight to the courthouse. Joining us, Taylor Paris, investigative reporter from LA magazine. Taylor Paris, thank you for being with us. Tell me what happened in court. Is it true David Anthony Burke, D4VD, winked at people in court?

[Taylor Paris]

Yeah, Nancy, thank you for having me. He was very casual as he walked out. His defense said something to him. He smiled and he winked as he was taken out of the courtroom.

[Nancy Grace]

Okay, right there. My teeth are on edge. Who was he winking at? Taylor Paris.

[Taylor Paris]

Yeah. So he was winking at his defense team. Blair Burke was. Specifically, who was speaking in.

[Nancy Grace]

Taylor Paris was D4VD. David Anthony Burke's family in court.

[Taylor Paris]

I did not see them in courtroom.

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[Nancy Grace]

Interesting. How did he look? What was he wearing?

[Taylor Paris]

He was wearing his orange jumpsuit, as he has been. Last time he was clean shaven. Today we saw the beard was growing in a bit, but he was very casual. He had his arms on the armrest. He was leaning forward. Yeah, he was very comfortable.

[Nancy Grace]

It seemed like very comfortable. Good to know. You stated he was smiling and winking at his lawyer, Taylor Paris. Was he shackled? Was he handcuffed at the wrist, the feet, the waist?

[Taylor Paris]

Yes. Every time he's been in the courtroom, he has been shackled in all of those places. He's brought in by an officer and he's taken out by an officer.

[Nancy Grace]

Does he look like he's lost weight or is he. Does he still have a good appetite?

[Taylor Paris]

Seems like he still has a good appetite. He looks very young, very different now that he doesn't have the beard that he had originally came in the courtroom with. He. You would not. You would not know that he was in. In court for murder.

[Nancy Grace]

Don't move. With us, Taylor Paris, investigative reporter with Los Angeles magazine. Dr. Bethany Marshall is joining us. And boy, do I. A shrink, possibly a drink and a shrink. But Dr. Bethany Marshall, renowned psychoanalyst out of this jurisdiction, Louisiana, star of a new podcast, on the Couch with Dr. Bethany, author of Deal Breaker. You can see her now on Bravo and Peacock and find her at Dr. Bethany Marshall, dot com. Dr. Bethany Marshall. He's smiling, winking, very at ease. He has altered his appearance to make him baby faced.

[Dr. Bethany Marshall]

Thoughts would be consistent with a personality disorder called antisocial or sociopathic personality disorder where the person does not get anxious or become anxious at the thought of negative repercussions to their actions. And this would be consistent with what we've seen about him. Along for allegedly having sex with an underage person, a minor, and then keeping it online, having her hold up a Louis Vuitton purse, Celeste, so that her face is not seen. So kind of like hiding in plain sight all of these criminal activities. And now he is smug. He feels like he's at the center of things and that nothing bad is going to happen to him.

[Nancy Grace]

He's probably thinking about how many records he's going to sell, how high his clicks are going to vault after he beats this murder charge. Back to Taylor Paris, joining us, investigative reporter LA Magazine at the hearing outside the hearing. Taylor Paris, again, thank you for joining us tonight. Taylor, what was the purpose of the hearing? Because on all the dockets it's reported as a preliminary hearing. But this is not a traditional preliminary hearing as we know it, such as when the state calls witnesses and brings on evidence sufficient to have the case formally charged and bound over for a felony trial. So what was it? Is it more let's have a hearing to set up a hearing?

[Taylor Paris]

Yeah, exactly. They originally had the hearing set. The preliminary hearing set for May 26 today was a status hearing to find out if the defense was ready to move forward. In court they decided they were not. Both the prosecution and defense agreed to move the date. It's going to now be on June 29th with a status hearing like today on June 17th.

[Nancy Grace]

Teller Paris, you're stating that the defense isn't ready to move forward and the state says it also is not ready to move forward, possibly because there are volumes and volumes of evidence easy to find if you're willing to go mining online. For example, watch this, Taylor.

[Dr. Bethany Marshall]

It's kind of giving Harley Quinn.

[Nancy Grace]

Okay. Oh, cute. Hello my kids. And then wait, look at this. Stickers. Where's the body glitter? We gonna be USA now.

[Dr. Bethany Marshall]

Where's the body glitter from Claire's?

[Taylor Paris]

Body glitter from Claire's crazy.

[Nancy Grace]

Okay. Clear Glitter. Okay. Okay, Chat. I'm gonna show you guys my face makeup. Jessica Morgan, maybe that is some of the evidence. I mean if I can find it, the prosecutor can find it. Did you hear what was said now? It's in the background. You have to listen very carefully. I'M gonna play for you the pertinent part. Listen,

[Dr. Bethany Marshall]

it's kind of giving Harley Quinn,

[Nancy Grace]

okay? Aw, cute. I'm liking. And then. Wait, you want to tell me those girls cannot hear what's being said through that open door? Just on the other side of that very thin wall? And you see the one girl in front of the mirror. Pause and listen. What was just said by witness one, which is a female. I think I know who she is. The female says, tell me more about Celeste. And you hear who we believe to be David Anthony Burke state, oh, shit. Then you hear the woman say, yeah, you killed her. And then you hear witness to state, yeah, me and David, they're so casual. And the other girls are just talking about finding their body glitter. And I want you to listen to the long form one more time because a speaker is identified by name Jo Scott Morgan. Listen,

[Dr. Bethany Marshall]

it's kind of giving Harley Quinn,

[Nancy Grace]

okay, hello, my kids. And then. Wait, what is this? Stalkers? Where's the body glitter? We go to the USA now.

[Dr. Bethany Marshall]

Where's the body glitter from Claire's?

[Nancy Grace]

Bro, body glitter from Claire's.

[Taylor Paris]

Disgusting.

[Nancy Grace]

Okay, Clear. Glitter. Okay. Okay, chat. I'm gonna show you guys my. My face makeup. I feel sick. I feel sick because I believe the prosecutors will be able to show that is David Anthony Berg D4VD's home. And in that home, Celeste was murdered. And they're all talking about body glitter and they can hear what's being said. Joe Scott, analyze. You hear the female state. Tell me more about Celeste and Burke. We think stating, oh, shit, the woman. Yeah, you killed her. And then someone says, yeah, me and David. And then listen, listen. You hear. You hear Burke say, who? They're all in the bathroom. In other words, they can hear us, idiot. And the girl says, don't look at me. Then they go on, and the woman is saying, well, what does she look like? Am I close to her talking about Celeste? What did Celeste look like? I'm very close to her. In other words, do I look like her? And you hear the other male say, give him a second. And the woman says, you don't know what she looked like. It's past tense, what she looked like. Then you hear David Anthony Burke, we think, laugh and says, hey, like you describe her. Neo. What are they that arrogant? They think? I can't find that online, much less the prosecutors. I want you, Jo Scott Morgan, you're the death investigator. While they're all laughing and looking for their body glitter, where's Celeste?

[Amazon Health AI Announcer]

Decomposing there at that residence. I can tell you what she looks like. I can tell you what she looked like relative to their current, their present at that moment in time. And yeah, they did use past tense, but let's understand, her mortal remains are just on the other side of those walls. Nancy, let that sink in just for a second. He's in an advanced state of decomposition. He's been packaged. The child has been packaged after having been rendered down. He's in multiple elements, Nancy, and not all of them are solid. The ME actually talked about liquefaction of remains. That's what she looked like. And I think that people need to get need to strap in and understand that it's not just the principle that's been named that's been charged in this case. It's all the circle that surrounds that surrounds this individual that is inside of that domicile. You're going to tell me that no one smelled anything? You're going to tell me that no one saw flies, that they're just going on about their business as if it's another day? It is absolutely, positively disgusting. Nancy. Yeah, I can tell you what she looked like.

[Nancy Grace]

You mentioned once. It's like they are dancing on her grave and her coffin, so to speak. From our friends at Fox 11 is David Anthony Burke, aka D4VD's Tesla. Her body had been discovered due to the stench of human decomposition. Crime Stories is so proud to be supported by Grand Canyon University, an affordable, private, nonprofit Christian university based in beautiful Phoenix, Arizona. GCU doesn't settle for the status quo, they shatter it at gcu. Academically rigorous, industry driven programs are built to move at the speed of relevance with practical skills, career readiness and opportunity for every learner. And GCU believes education should not be a privilege, but an affordable path forward for all. In fact, they've kept tuition at the same rate on their traditional campus for the past 17 years and they're continuing that into the 2026-2027 academic year. Grounded in Christian faith, GCU works to empower the next generation to lead with integrity, serve with purpose and help transform their communities, building a future that matters. GCU is purpose Driven education. Take action. Find your purpose at gcuprivate Christian affordable non profit. Visit GCU Edu to learn more. It's really hard to know what will work for weight loss and what's worth your time. Hers now offers access to an affordable range of FDA approved GLP1 medications, including the Wegovy pill and Wegovy pen. With Wegovy at hers, you can lose up to 20% or more of your body weight when you combine it with diet and exercise. If prescribed your medication delivered right to your door, you get a personalized treatment plan and unlimited dosage changes as needed. Ready to reach your goals? Visit forhers.comnancy to get personalized affordable care that gets you that's F O r h e r-s.com Nancy Fourhers.com Nancy Weight loss by hers is not available in all 50 states. WeGovy is the registered trademark of Novo Nordisk as to get started and learn more, including important safety information, WeGovy clinical study information and restrictions, visit forhers.com Amazon

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Health AI presents painful thoughts why did

[Nancy Grace]

I search the Internet for answers to

[Dr. Bethany Marshall]

my cold sore problem?

[Nancy Grace]

Now I'm stuck down a rabbit hole

[Dr. Bethany Marshall]

filled with images of alarmingly graphic source

[Nancy Grace]

in various stages of ooze.

[Dr. Bethany Marshall]

I can clear my search history, but

[Nancy Grace]

I can never unsee that.

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Don't go down the rabbit hole. Amazon Health AI gets you the right care fast. Healthcare just got less painful.

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[Nancy Grace]

Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Doctor Bethany Marshall joining us, renowned psychoanalyst Dr. Bethany what is wrong with these people? It's all, they're like, they're in there. Don't let them hear what we're talking about. And you see the girl putting on makeup, listen and pause. It's, it's so arrogant. This girl, this little girl that he met at age 11 and started wooing her at age 11, still wearing hello Kitty outfits. She's dead. And they're so flippant.

[Dr. Bethany Marshall]

The arrogance did not start with, with her death, Nancy. It started way before when she was 11 year old. 11 years old. All these people in this house saw him parading an 11 year old in and out like she was his girlfriend. There are Most likely other 11 year olds because pedophilia, Nancy, as I've said before, is when there's more than 5 years age difference between the perpetrator and the victim and the victim is prepubescent. Pedophiles normally have multiple, multiple victims. They don't just have one. So there were probably a lot of little Celestes coming in and out and these Young women putting on body glitter and he hawing and stars on their face. They saw a lot before they saw her death.

[Nancy Grace]

They saw a lot. And I call that state's witnesses. Joining me now, veteran trial lawyer, defense attorney Randolph Rice. He's located in Baltimore, Maryland. Never lack of business there for a defense attorney. Former prosecutor, defense and civil attorney at Rice Law, Randolph Rice. Why don't they just go ahead and roll over and plea after that video we just showed? Did you not hear the male speaker? Did you not hear who we believe to be David Anthony Burke? You hear the male speaker say when the woman says you killed her? And he says, yeah, me and David roll over.

[Randolph Rice]

Nancy, I respect what you're saying, but I think you might be wrong here. And here's why. Somebody else just admitted to this crime. He said, me and David. That means there's an alternative suspect. And David Burke may not be the killer in this case.

[Nancy Grace]

Oh, you're so happy you have the quote, other dude and the sod some other dude did it. Defense. Okay, I thought you were going to go on a riff about how this isn't real, that it's AI. That's what you said before.

[Randolph Rice]

I don't think this is AI. This is too real. This is too. This is. This is a defense attorney's dream to hear that somebody else admitted to killing her. That's my first piece of evidence. If I'm David Burke's attorney, I'm putting it up there and go, whoever that

[Nancy Grace]

voice is, hold your horses. Hold on, Nelly. The first time I told you and showed you this video, didn't you say, that's not real, that's AI. Didn't you say that?

[Randolph Rice]

I think it's real, Nancy. I think it's real based on what I'm seeing now.

[Nancy Grace]

Didn't you say it was AI? You said that the first time I threw this video at you. Said it's AI. That's not real. You can't prove it in court. That's what you said the first time. Now you've come up with another angle. It's like a Rubik's Cube. It's like a game for you. If I can prove it's not AI and it's real, then you go, oh, yeah, okay, it's real and some other dude did it. You're amazing. You're amazing. Randolph Rice. Are you denying that you first said it's AI?

[Randolph Rice]

I think I'm changing my opinion on this. And I think this sounds like it's real. And this is great piece of evidence from Mr. Burke in court.

[Nancy Grace]

Okay. You're an amazing defense attorney, Randolph Rice, and this is why you win so many cases. Okay. Moving forward to Dave Mack, crime stories investigative reporter Celeste Bestie drops a bomb.

[Dave Mack]

Nancy, when we looked at this story and, and wondered when is this going to come out, that Celeste Riva's best friend said that In January, about 12 weeks before Celeste was murdered, Celeste was at her parents home and her best friend is sitting there trying to talk her out of running away because Celeste wanted to run away to David. Now, the friend thought she was talking about a classmate. She wasn't, but Celeste gave her the reason, thought she was pregnant. Celeste tells her best friend, I'm pregnant and I'm gonna run away to David's. It is the shocking motive we've been waiting for.

[Nancy Grace]

There, of course, Randolph Rice, you're the veteran trial lawyer. The state doesn't have to prove motive at all, but practically speaking, we know the jury will want a motive. I want to hear, okay, how you're going to spend that out in court. Because first there are claims. The video I just showed was artificial intelligence. It wasn't real. Then when you rethought it, you came up with a much better idea. Now it is real and you can fabricate, create, argue that some other dude did it defense based on that video. But what are you going to do with Celeste pregnant?

[Randolph Rice]

I still think we need to get the DNA back and we need to match that up to see who exactly is the baby, who is the father? Because, Nancy, the father may be this alternative killer, this person, void person's voice we hear in the background who says, I did it. Maybe he's the father.

[Nancy Grace]

Okay, you really are amazing. See, you threw a curveball at me right there, Randolph Rice, because I thought you were going to say, what baby? Nobody can prove she was pregnant. But instead you're like a dog with a bone and you're running with it. Yes, she is pregnant, but it's somebody else's baby and they killed her. Okay, I don't believe any of it, but I have to admire your thinking. Kind of like a fox. Jo Scott Morgan, help me out here. Joseph Scott Morgan is a professor of forensics at Jacksonville State University. He is the author of Blood Beneath My Feet on Amazon. He's the star of a hit podcast, Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan. But for our purposes, he is a death investigator. In fact, that's how I first met him in the Fulton County District Attorney's office. He was working with the medical Examiner's office. With 10,000 plus death scenes under his belt, why don't I know whether Celeste was pregnant or not?

[Amazon Health AI Announcer]

Well, because the ME actually in their report stated that there was no evidence of pregnancy and then they had to go back and amend it and at which point in time they said it's undetermined, essentially, or indeterminate is what it comes down to. I can tell you this. According to the findings that they had at autopsy, they didn't show, and I'm talking about the physical findings, they didn't show any evidence that she was in fact pregnant. We cannot exclude, though, however, if she had had a pregnancy that had some point in time, had been terminated at some point in time, either through, I don't know, morning after pill, or we're talking about some kind of terminal event where she goes and has child aborted. So that's difficult to understand. And what even complicates matters even more, Nancy, is the fact that she is in such advanced state of decomposition. This, this is a very difficult road to go down. We do know, however, that they didn't find anything that would indicate she was pregnant at the time.

[Nancy Grace]

Okay, let's recap what you just said, Jo Scott Morgan, number one, the body was in extensive advanced state of decomposition. Number one, you state. first they said nothing was remarkable about her uterus. Then they had to go back and amend that and state, we really can't tell if she's pregnant.

[Amazon Health AI Announcer]

Yeah.

[Nancy Grace]

Is that correct?

[Amazon Health AI Announcer]

That is correct, ma'.

[Nancy Grace]

Am. Okay. Why did they have to go back and amend their own report?

[Amazon Health AI Announcer]

I have no idea. And that's the big mystery here, because they don't do a follow up, like a follow up report from a pathology standpoint where they say, okay, this is physically demonstrative of why we, why this is indeterminate. Now, when you have a descriptor of the, of the organs and the tissues that we look at both with the unaided eye and also microscopically, that doesn't exist.

[Nancy Grace]

So bottom line, we can't tell. We've got the best friend's word for it. And Dave Mack, crime stories investigative reporter. We have what the prosecution lays out in their brief, and that is evidence of an abortion and evidence of the plan B.

[Dave Mack]

Morning after pill, those text messages between Celeste and David Burke talk about the plan B, they talk about pregnancy. And Nancy, they talk about threats on his career. Remember the week Celeste Rivas was murdered was the first week David Anthony Burke's album withered and the world tour were kicking off and Celeste dropped that bomb on him because she was tired of him seeing other little girls.

[Nancy Grace]

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[Nancy Grace]

I can't stop scratching my downtown. Mm, yeah, but I'm not itching to go downtown and tell a receptionist I'm here to talk about my downtown. Some things you'd rather type than say out loud.

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[Nancy Grace]

Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. Plan B in the text. Abortion in the text. And we uncovered this text purportedly from Celeste to Burke. Things are getting so heavy. I'm scared about everything. They're starting to ask questions. Call me when you see this. I need you. So Dr. Bethany Marshall, it's going to be a cold day and H E double L that David Anthony Burke is going to allow Any evidence of a pregnancy and abortion or the plan B pill usage to come out from a little girl that is now 14, that he started romancing at age 11. He had to pick.

[Dr. Bethany Marshall]

He had to pick his career or her. And he chose his career. He chose, allegedly chose homicide. Nancy, this text breaks my heart because this is a little girl who imagines she's in a true and real relationship with David. You can just see it. Heavy. I need you. And the fact is, it's not a true relationship. She's probably one of many, many victims.

[Nancy Grace]

You're right. Dr. Bethany, we uncovered texts from Celeste's brother where he's describing Burke promising to marry Celeste and have a family with her. Dave Mack, another question. Isn't it true that Celeste's passport was found in Santa Barbara? That Digital evidence tracks D4VD David Anthony Burke to Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara on a late night trip. Her passport is found where he was tracked. And isn't it true There are claims D4VD took Celeste across state lines to London, which would have been in her passport to Texas and to Vegas. Was that to get an abortion?

[Dave Mack]

Nancy, everything you just said is 100% accurate. David Anthony Burke allegedly took Celeste to London, Houston, and Las Vegas. And the reason investigators say he did that was to meet his family. Shocking enough. Now, her passport was discovered in January of this year, about six months, seven months after David Anthony Burke traveled to the exact area where that passport and other evidence was found. In Santa Barbara County.

[Nancy Grace]

Right. Okay. Randolph Rice, I bet you know where your passport is. Why was Celeste's passport out where D4VD David Anthony Burke went in the middle of the night? Why was that out there? What did he not want us to see in her passport? What happened in London? What happened in Vegas? What happened in Texas?

[Randolph Rice]

Well, it's clearly easy to explain why he went to these different locations. He wanted to take her along to see the lifestyle he was living, to meet his family. Nothing nefarious here. And again, I go back to.

[Nancy Grace]

His family lives there. His family lives in the States, but

[Randolph Rice]

he was obviously traveling for his shows, for promotions, and he wanted to take her along because at the time, this was his girlfriend. He wanted to be with her on his. On his trips.

[Nancy Grace]

Did you say it was his girlfriend, this minor that he met at age 11? He wants to take her to a hotel in London. Over my cold, dead body, is that going to happen? Right. But what did that passport reveal? What happened in London? What happened in Texas? What happened in Vegas? Is that where the abortion occurred? Did an abortion occur? The state says there's evidence in their text about abortion. And plan B, is that motive for murder? And speaking of red flags, take a look at D4VD David Anthony Burke's concert. This is after Celeste is murdered. Let's see the video, please. Wow, what is that, Dave Mac? It looks like a female's coffin. Because in better light we see that it's a small white coffin. What? What? This is the theme. He has a coffin set up. He has attendees writing their thoughts and feelings to the deceased. You know what? Forget you, Dave Mack. Sorry, I need a shrink. Dr. Bethany Marshall. If this is not a red flag, then I'm colorblind.

[Dr. Bethany Marshall]

Nancy. When perpetrators commit homicide, usually there's a relief phase that lasts about six to eight months. In other words, they are glad that they got the victim out of the way because the victim is causing some problem for them. In this case, what's Celeste's problem? That she's going to cause pregnancy? Finding out about other little girls, telling her parents, telling her school teachers. So there's a certain amount of delight in the fact that she's gone. What I see with this coffin, and it's white, small, it's about her size. He is glorifying her death because he is so relieved he has her out of the way, that this is happy dance for him. This is a celebration.

[Nancy Grace]

Straight back to the courthouse. Standing by, Taylor Paris, investigative reporter, Los Angeles magazine, the LA magazine. Taylor. We understand that at earlier appearances D4VD David Anthony Burke closely shaved his face and tried to get a more youthful appearance to make him look like a juvenile. What about today?

[Taylor Paris]

Yeah, as I said, that beard had grown in a little bit more today. He had previously requested from the judge to get a change of clothes as well as the haircut. They've approved the haircut. They have not approved to let him out of that jumpsuit yet.

[Nancy Grace]

A change of clothes. Randolph Rice. He wants a glow up from behind bars and he's trying to look youthful. What? What does he want? A onesie and a passy. When he walks into court, he doesn't get a glam squad makeover. Randolph Rice.

[Randolph Rice]

Keep asking. Keep asking. I want him looking as good as possible. If I'm his attorneys, I want him coming in there because we all know they're going to be cameras, they're going to be showing his picture. I want him looking as great as possible for this trial, in the public and in the courtroom.

[Nancy Grace]

How about this? What's he going to do next? Suck on a passy Wear a onesie. He wants to look young. And catch this. Here's the dichotomy. Here's the problem with what you're saying. He doesn't want his street clothes, as you call them. He wants new clothes completely different from his current wardrobe. He wants pressed khakis and a button down shirt. Hey, let's roll through a bunch of video and pictures of D4VD. In the last 10 years, I have never seen this guy wearing khakis. What with a little cuff at the bottom and a button down shirt. Oh, by the way, this is his last videos right before he's arrest. Arrested. He's back at work, quote making music. He's not worried about Celeste. But back to you, Rice. He doesn't want his clothes. He wants brand new clothes. So he can look like what, A1L at Harvard Law School. Help me out.

[Randolph Rice]

Yep, I'm going to the nicest tailor in Los Angeles if I'm his attorney. And I'm getting him the best suit, the most conservative ties, the nicest white shirt I can find. And I'm putting him in that because I want him to look like, as you said, A1L at Harvard, a first year law student. Like he is the most professional person coming to that court. I want him looking better than his lawyers.

[Nancy Grace]

I think they want the baby face. I think they want him to look really, really young. Joe Scott Morgan. They're going to be faced with the fact that he started romancing Celeste at when she was age 11. So they're going to try to bridge that age gap. But what doesn't lie is her uterus. And what doesn't lie are those court documents talking about abortion and the plan B pill. If she had had an abortion, if she had ever used Plan B, the morning after pillow, could they have determined that?

[Dave Mack]

Not.

[Amazon Health AI Announcer]

Not at this point. Not. Not given the degree of decomposition that we're talking about, Nancy. Because those are things that we're going to be looking at from a hormonal standpoint. And it would be a real uphill battle given the condition of her remains. There's one other bit of evidence I want to see Nancy and that's going to be his financial receipts. I wonder, I just wonder, did he pick up that body bag at the same place he picked up that coffin from? Inquiring minds want to know. I'd like to know, where do you go for a coffin?

[Nancy Grace]

I thought he ordered them over Amazon.

[Dave Mack]

Where do you go?

[Nancy Grace]

Hold on just a moment. Dave Mack, didn't he order. That's A really good point. Didn't he order. It's an actual body bag with six handles on it, which are wonderful to get DNA out of. But didn't he order that? That's a yes. No. Dave Mac from Amazon.

[Dave Mack]

Yes, ma'.

[Nancy Grace]

Am.

[Dave Mack]

Yes, he ordered from Amazon.

[Nancy Grace]

What else did he order from Amazon? Just to refresh our recollection, Dave Mack.

[Dave Mack]

We've got the other trash bags, the chainsaws. No. Yeah, the chainsaws, the baby swimming pool, the burn cage. There you go.

[Nancy Grace]

And that's it. Right. He got the burn cage, the. Which is an incinerator. There is the kiddie pool. There are two chainsaws. I wonder if he ordered plan B. The body bag, shovels. Much more is going to be revealed. But speaking of everyone around her, take a look at this photo that we unearthed online. And if we can do it, certainly the prosecution can do it. This is Celeste sitting on the front row amongst David Anthony Burke's family. There is D4VD, David Anthony Burke's parents, his sister, dear Celeste. And there is D4VD's brother, who by the way, has used the murder to launch his own singing career. What was happening, Dr. Bethany? All these people knew Burke was with a minor. You hear his we think agent in one video say, are you still dating that minor? And nobody does anything.

[Dr. Bethany Marshall]

Nancy, I can only guess that the parents love their son, but they did not love Celeste. This type of collusion only happens when there's a culture of narcissism. And what I mean by that, when all the colluders, all the hangers, honors are only thinking about themselves, their own glorification, what's in it for them. But they don't really care much about people outside of themselves.

[Nancy Grace]

What a day in an LA courtroom. D4VD. David Anthony Burke, trying his best to maintain a baby face in front of the judge, did not get the glow up he wanted. As a bombshell lands Celeste pregnant. Trying to confirm if you know or think you know anything about Celeste's murder. The state is building its case. Please call LAPD. 213-486-6890. Repeat, 213-486-6890. We remember American hero officer David Lee, St. Louis Metropolitan PD, killed in the line of duty by a drunk driver after 18 years. Leaving behind his grieving wife Tanya and two beautiful children. Sentenced to life without dad. American hero Police officer David Lee. Nancy Grace signing off. Goodbye, friend.

[Dave Mack]

Foreign.

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It's a celebration. 250 years in the making.

And we want everyone in America from Maine to Montana, from Alabama to Alaska to be a part of it.

This year marks America's 250th anniversary, and we're coming together from coast to coast at star Spangled events, live performances, and the largest day of giving in American history.

Join the nationwide [e-mail]

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