Friend of Singer D4VD Arrested After Failing to Appear as Grand Jury Witness in Celeste Rivas Case | Crime Alert 6AM 01.26.26

Summary

Podcast Summary: Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: Friend of Singer D4VD Arrested After Failing to Appear as Grand Jury Witness in Celeste Rivas Case | Crime Alert 6AM
Date: January 26, 2026
Host: Nancy Grace
Guests: Nicole Parton (Crime Correspondent), Additional News Voices
Podcast by: iHeartPodcasts & CrimeOnline

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Overview

This episode of Crime Stories with Nancy Grace spotlights breaking developments in several disturbing cases, focusing on the arrest of a close associate of R&B artist D4VD (David Anthony Burke) as part of the ongoing investigation into the homicide of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 13-year-old girl from Los Angeles. The episode further reports on a devastating child homicide in Maine and the disappearance of a Houston mother. Through a fast-paced, detail-rich approach, Nancy Grace and her correspondents dissect facts, pose tough questions, and urge listeners to remain vigilant.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Arrest of David’s Associate as Grand Jury Witness (00:00–02:28)

• Nancy Grace opens with the headline: arrest of neo Langston (23), known online as "Neo the Asian," in Montana.
• Details of the Arrest:
  • Langston, noted associate of R&B singer D4VD (real name David Anthony Burke, 20), was arrested in Helena, Montana, after failing to appear as a key grand jury witness in a Los Angeles homicide case.
  • Held without bail, Langston was awaiting transfer to the LAPD.
• Context of the Case:
  • The investigation centers on the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, last seen April 2024 at Lake Eleanor (age 13); remains found September 8th in a Tesla registered to D4VD, found at an LA towing company near one of his major performances.
  • Law enforcement sources have named D4VD as a suspect but have not charged him.
• Investigation Updates:
  • The cause of Rivas’s death is undetermined due to a court-ordered confidentiality (Dr. Ode Ukpo, Chief Medical Examiner).
  • Possibility that multiple people were involved in disposal of the body.
  • Grand jury has taken several testimonies; unclear if Langston was previously described as the "not very cooperative" witness.
• Notable Context:
  • Court documents, social media connections, and Langston’s own online persona were mentioned, linking him and Burke in the public eye.

Notable Quote

• "Langston was processed at the Lewis and Clark County Detention center and held without bail before being handed over to the LAPD officials." — Nicole Parton (00:35)
• "Authorities have stated that the investigation is still ongoing and that multiple individuals may have played a role in the disposal of the young girl's body." — Nicole Parton (01:40)
• “We are unable to disclose any information while the court order is in effect.” — Dr. Ode Ukpo, LA Chief Medical Examiner, via Nicole Parton (01:58)

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2. Maine Infant Homicide (03:47–05:46)

• Case Facts:
  • 12-week-old Lila Samuels died under suspicious circumstances; her father, Sean Samuels (24), arrested and charged with her murder after an autopsy confirmed homicide.
  • Incident took place in Bangor, Maine, with first responders unable to revive the infant.
  • Relatives disclosed this was the first time Sean was alone with his daughter.
• Details from Autopsy:
  • Suffered severe injuries: four broken ribs, retinal hemorrhages, brain swelling, "acceleration-deceleration" injury, and additional broken bones.
  • Bail set at $250,000; Sean pleaded not guilty; next court appearance set for February 13.
• Notable Insight: Pattern fits classic “shaken baby syndrome” — as inferred by the medical examiner’s statement.

Notable Quote

• "An autopsy report revealed that Lila had suffered four broken ribs, retinal hemorrhages, brain swelling and other broken bones." — Nicole Parton (05:32)
• "Chief Medical Examiner Alice Brianz determined that the brain bleeding was indicative of an acceleration deceleration injury, proving the baby was murdered." — Nicole Parton (05:42)

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3. Disappearance of Elsa Maria Ferreira, Houston Mother (05:46–06:27)

• Incident Recap:
  • Elsa Maria Ferreira, mother of three, vanished after visiting a laundromat in Houston. Her car, with laundry neatly folded, was found days later towed from an unfamiliar apartment complex.
  • No personal belongings were inside; her family remains desperate for answers.
  • Appeal for public tips: Houston Police Department — 832-394-1840.

Notable Quote

• "They say the mom had no connection to those apartments and the laundry found folded neatly in a basket in the backseat, the rest of Maria Ferreira's belongings gone." — Nicole Parton (06:12)

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:07–02:28: D4VD friend (Neo Langston) arrested, Celeste Rivas Hernandez homicide investigation details, grand jury developments.
• 03:47–05:46: Lila Samuels infant death in Maine, father’s arrest and autopsy results.
• 05:46–06:27: Missing person alert for Elsa Maria Ferreira in Houston and urgent appeal for information.

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Memorable Moments

• Multiple Roles in Celeste Rivas Case: The potential for a broader conspiracy or group effort in the disposal of Celeste's body, underscoring the complexity of the investigation.
• Langston’s Social Media Persona: Emphasis on how digital footprints and online relationships helped establish personal connections vital to the investigation.
• Clinical Autopsy Details: The harrowing specifics of injuries suffered by the Maine infant, painting a clear prosecutorial narrative even before trial.
• Direct Appeals to Listeners: Nancy Grace's persistent encouragement for public participation, reinforcing her show’s commitment to solving cases.

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Tone and Style

The episode maintains Nancy Grace’s characteristic urgency, directness, and focus on justice — balancing cold, hard details with impassioned appeals for listener involvement. The reporting is fact-forward, with careful attribution to law enforcement and medical statements, but always circling back to the humanity of the victims.

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For more details or tips, listeners are directed to CrimeOnline.com and encouraged to join the daily podcast.

Transcript

[A]

Crime Alert. I'm Nancy Grace. Breaking crime news now straight out to Nicole Parton. For the latest this week, a friend.

[B]

Of R and B artist David was arrested in Montana after authorities reported that he failed to show up as a witness in a homicide case in Los Angeles involving the death of a young girl, neo Langston, a 23 year old social media streamer who has been seen publicly alongside the musician. David was arrested on Thursday at a home in Helena due to an out of state warrant issued by the Los Angeles Police Department. As per court documents, Langston was processed at the Lewis and Clark County Detention center and held without bail before being handed over to the LAPD officials. The Helena police confirmed their support for the detectives from the LAPD's Robbery Homicide Division, but refrained from giving further information. Court court documents reveal that Langston was being sought for not appearing as a witness before a grand jury. His arrest is connected to the ongoing investigation into the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who was last seen in Lake Eleanor in April 2024 when she was just 13 years old. Her remains were found on September 8th in the front trunk of a Tesla that had been seized by a Los Angeles towing company during just days prior to David's scheduled performance in San Francisco. The car is registered to the singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke. Burke, 20, has been named as a suspect by law enforcement sources but has not yet faced any charges. Authorities have stated that the investigation is still ongoing and that multiple individuals may have played a role in the disposal of the young girl's body. The cause and manner of death are still pending, said Dr. Ode Ukpo, Chief Medical examiner for Law, Los Angeles county, after a court ordered confidentiality directive was imposed on his office. We are unable to disclose any information while the court order is in effect, he stated. A grand jury has been established and several witnesses have already provided their testimonies. It is still unclear if Langston is the witness that prosecutors previously described as not being very cooperative. Known previously as Neo the Asian, Langston frequently posted pictures with Burke on his social media accounts.

[A]

Nicole, thank you. More crime and justice news after this. Aldous Hodge returns as Alex Cross, your favorite detective on television for season two of the hit show Cross, premiering February 11th exclusively on Prime Video. Critics call season one one of the year's best shows with over 40 million viewers worldwide. And on February 11th, the story continues with a new season from creator Ben Watkins and based on characters created by James Patterson. Cross is Washington, D.C. 's most brilliant homicide detective and forensic psychologist, fresh off his capture of the infamous serial killer, the fanboy. Cross teams up with the FBI to hunt down a vigilante serial killer targeting criminal corrupt billionaires. As the case unfolds, Cross navigates a moral crossroads where the lines between justice and vengeance are blurred. Cross is back and better than ever this season. Get ready for a new case. Higher stakes, but the same cross. Watch season two of Cross new episodes weekly starting February 11th only on Prime Video.

[B]

A father from Maine has been taken into custody following allegations of domestic violence, elevated aggravated assault and the murder of his 12 week old daughter. On January 16th, the Regional Communications center in Penobscot received a 911 call reporting that an infant was unresponsive, as stated in a release by the main state Police. The baby, identified as Lila Samuels, was promptly transported to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical center in Bangor. Responders from the Fire and Rescue, Brewer Fire Department and the county Sheriff's Office swiftly arrived on the scene. The Major Crimes Unit was called in to conduct an investigation. This inquiry led to the arrest of the infant's father, 24 year old Sean Samuels, on January 27 for charges including domestic violence, aggravated assault and two counts of bail violation. Tragically, it was confirmed that Lila had passed away on January 18 and authorities ruled her death a homicide. Sean was charged with murder following an autopsy on January 19 and he remains in custody at the county jail. According to the Boston Globe, first responders performed CPR on Lila upon arrival but were unable to revive her. A relative reportedly informed the dispatcher that Sean was alone with the child for the first time when the incident occurred. Sean made a court appearance on January 21, where he pleaded not guilty. His bail was set at $250,000. His next court date is scheduled for February 13. An autopsy report revealed that Lila had suffered four broken ribs, retinal hemorrhages, brain swelling and other broken bones. Chief Medical Examiner Alice Brianz determined that the brain bleeding was indicative of of an acceleration deceleration injury, proving the baby was murdered.

[C]

Elsa Maria Ferreira, a mom of three, takes her family's laundry to a Houston laundromat. She's caught on video leaving in her black 2016 Nissan but never makes it home. Days later, her children discover her car had been towed from an apartment complex across town. They say the mom had no connection to those apartments and the laundry found folded neatly in a basket in the backseat, the rest of Maria Ferreira's belongings gone. If you have info about Elisa Mario Ferreira, Please call Houston PD 832-394-1840 for.

[A]

The latest crime and justice news, go to crimeonline.com and please join us for our daily podcast, Crime Stories, where we do our best to find missing people, especially, especially children, and help solve unsolved homicides with this crime alert. I'm Nancy Grace. This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.