Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: MISSING CELESTE, 13, DECOMPOSES IN STAR'S TESLA TRUNK, WHINES BC TOUR CANCELS

Release Date: September 22, 2025
Host: Nancy Grace
Featured Guests: Israel Salas Rodriguez (US Sun), Moses Castillo (Private Investigator), Joe Scott Morgan (Forensics Professor), Joanna Nevis (Defense Attorney), Dr. Bethany Marshall (Psychoanalyst), Dave Mack (Crime Stories Reporter)

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the tragic case of Celeste Rivas, a 13-year-old girl found partially dismembered and decomposing in the trunk of a Tesla owned by a multi-platinum music star, David (pronounced “David,” stylized as D4VD). Host Nancy Grace explores Celeste’s disappearance, the discovery of her body, the alarming relationship between Celeste and the singer, the subsequent public and industry reactions, and the lack of current criminal charges. The discussion is both investigative and emotional, focusing on victimhood, celebrity privilege, and systemic failures around missing teens.

“A missing little girl, Celeste, just 13 years old… found decomposing, partially dismembered in a star’s Tesla trunk. Who is now whining because his tour is cancelled.”
— Nancy Grace (01:33)

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Discovery of Celeste’s Remains

• Where/When Found:

  • Celeste’s decomposing, partially dismembered body was found in the front trunk (“frunk”) of a dusty, abandoned Tesla Model Y in the Hollywood Hills.
  • The car sat for weeks; neighbors noticed a foul odor and its unsightly state before police were alerted.

    “You could smell the trunk as you approached the Tesla… neighbors complained about a foul odor coming from the Tesla.”
    — Israel Salas Rodriguez (04:20)

• Condition of Remains:

  • Severely decomposed, wrapped in plastic and a bag, only 71 pounds left from her original 120-pound frame.

    “Her, Celeste’s measurements, her weight specifically in life… was 120 pounds. The remains… somewhere in the neighborhood of 70.”
    — Joe Scott Morgan (17:55)

  • Partial forensic identification was required; tattoos (“shh” on finger and “David” on ring finger) helped confirm identity.

    “Specifically one tattoo, a tiny tattoo on the inside of her finger… and it’s on her ring finger. Hello, David the musician.”
    — Nancy Grace (18:28)

2. The Timeline: Celeste and David

• Relationship Founded Online:

  • Celeste, described as “full of life but also young and naive,” met David through social media. Initial contact resembled grooming.

    “She met this singer named David… they met online.”
    — Israel Salas Rodriguez (23:15)

• Runaway and Disappearance:

  • First left home at 13, was found, returned, and vanished again after David picked her up “to go to the movies.”

    “David, aka D4VD… picks her up to take her to a movie and she’s never seen again.”
    — Nancy Grace (21:27)

  • During her absence, Celeste appeared alongside David in social media streams, but their relationship was hidden and possibly abusive.

    “He desperately tried to hide their relationship from the public eye.”
    — Narration (21:07)

3. The Suspect: David (D4VD)

• Rising Star with a Dark Side:

  • Gained fame with viral music on TikTok and Fortnite montages, transitioning into a record deal after his breakout song “Romantic Homicide.”

    “His self-produced song ‘Romantic Homicide’ goes viral, leading to a record deal… certified multi-platinum.”
    — Narration (30:03)

  • Lyrics, online posts, and matching tattoos with Celeste point to a controlling, possibly predatory relationship.

    “He has the same tattoo on his index finger. What a coincidence. Isn’t that odd?”
    — Nancy Grace (19:14)

  • After Celeste’s body was found, David continued touring until public outrage forced cancellations; his label suspended him, and endorsements were revoked.

    “He went on about his daily business after a bloody, chopped up, decomposed corpse was found in his abandoned car.”
    — Dave Mack (40:11)

4. Forensic & Psychological Analysis

• Body Decomposition & Relocation Theories:

  • Experts speculate that the body may have been moved; the Tesla’s frunk could contain vital digital evidence due to its multiple cameras.

    “Teslas come equipped with a sentry system… at least six cameras on the outside. There’s biometrics… we might even get a visual ID.”
    — Joe Scott Morgan (45:28)

• Psychoanalytical Perspective:

  • Dr. Bethany Marshall characterizes the killer’s mindset as “coercive control,” likely motivated by sexual interest, manipulation, and dominance.

    “Whoever did this had control over a minor… what 13 year old does not want to be home with their parents unless they’re being groomed and brainwashed?”
    — Dr. Bethany Marshall (12:30)

  • Lyrics and secretiveness (“shhh” tattoo, hiding Celeste’s face) suggest secrecy, shame, and isolation consistent with predatory relationships.

5. Society and Law Enforcement’s Failure

• Attitude Toward Runaways:

  • Nancy Grace and Moses Castillo criticize the prevailing dismissal of “runaway” teens as disposable, noting that Celeste’s disappearance was not sufficiently prioritized.

    “She’s described as a runaway teen. Okay, so what? She’s disposable?”
    — Nancy Grace (27:00)

• Legal and Evidentiary Challenges:

  • Defense attorney Joanna Nevis underscores the need for proof tying David to exactly when and how the body was moved or the murder committed, focusing on intent and prosecutorial gaps.

    “Was my client the person moving it around, or does my client have an alibi? … Just because it was moving does not put it with the person that I may be defending.”
    — Joanna Nevis (08:57)

6. Unconfirmed Bombshells: Potential Pregnancy and Infant Remains

• Pregnancy Rumors:

  • Social media suggests Celeste was possibly pregnant with David’s child. Screenshot evidence of David referencing “a kid on the way.”

    “There are rumors and unconfirmed reports online that Celeste was apparently pregnant at the time of her death.”
    — Israel Salas Rodriguez (41:33)

• Possible Infant Remains:

  • Reports circulate (though unconfirmed) of infant remains being found in the area, sparking calls for DNA comparison to Celeste and David.

    “There’s actually a report that there were remains found in the Hollywood Hills area and that they were an infant… we have a source for DNA information.”
    — Joe Scott Morgan (43:23)

7. The Music, Lyrics, and Social Media

• “Romantic Homicide” and Other Songs:

  • Lyrics eerily hint at violence and emotional detachment:

    “In the back of my mind, I killed you and I didn’t even regret it… In the back of my mind you died and I didn’t even cry, no, not a single tear, and I’m sick of waiting patiently for someone that won’t even arrive.”
    — David’s lyrics, read by Nancy Grace (30:38)

• Unreleased Song “Celeste Demo Unfin”:

  • Lyrics further point to an illicit, troubled relationship and obsession:

    “Oh, Celeste the girl with my name tattooed on her chest. Smell it on my clothes like cigarettes… Afraid you’ll only love me when undressed…”
    — Nancy Grace (49:34)

• Attitude and Cover-ups:

  • David hid Celeste’s face in photos, asked for streams and videos to be deleted, and later dropped all traces from social media after public attention grew.

    “There’s one clip… he appears to tell the live stream ‘Can this video be deleted?’”
    — Israel Salas Rodriguez (49:14)

8. Industry & Media Backlash

• Immediate Professional Fallout:

  • Tour, album, and endorsements cancelled, but no criminal charges have been filed.

• Questions of Privilege and Justice:

  • Despite mounting evidence, there’s frustration over the lack of charges or formal suspects, especially given the celebrity status at play.

    “As of this moment when we go to air tonight. There have been no charges at all.”
    — Nancy Grace (40:53)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|-------| | 01:33 | Nancy Grace | “A missing little girl, Celeste… found decomposing… in a star’s Tesla trunk. Who is now whining because his tour is cancelled.” | | 04:20 | Israel Salas Rodriguez | “The car was reportedly sitting there for weeks… neighbors complained about a foul odor.” | | 08:57 | Joanna Nevis | “Just because it was moving does not put it with the person that I may be defending at the time.” | | 12:30 | Dr. Bethany Marshall | “Coercive control. Whoever did this had control over a minor sufficiently so that her family was unable to find her.” | | 18:28 | Nancy Grace | “Specifically one tattoo, a tiny tattoo… There it is. There’s a sh.” | | 30:38 | Nancy Grace (reading lyrics) | “In the back of my mind, I killed you and I didn’t even regret it… I didn’t even cry, no, not a single tear…” | | 35:40 | Nancy Grace | “He’s having her cover her face because she’s underage.” | | 40:11 | Dave Mack | “He went on about his daily business after a bloody, chopped up, decomposed corpse was found in his abandoned car.” | | 41:33 | Israel Salas Rodriguez | “There are rumors and unconfirmed reports online that Celeste was apparently pregnant at the time of her death.” | | 45:28 | Joe Scott Morgan | “Teslas come equipped with a sentry system… we might even get a visual ID of who was opening that trunk…” | | 47:56 | David (audio) | “I didn’t kill her physically, but in the back of my mind she died.” | | 49:14 | Israel Salas Rodriguez | “He appears to tell the livestream ‘Can this video be deleted?’” | | 52:14 | Nancy Grace | “Reminder, no one has been charged in the disappearance and the murder. The dismemberment of this little girl, Celeste.” |

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:40] — Introduction to Celeste’s disappearance and the discovery in the Tesla
• [04:20] — Discussion of how and why the Tesla stood out in Hollywood Hills
• [12:30] — Dr. Bethany Marshall analyzes perpetrator psychology (coercive control)
• [17:34] — Forensic identification and matching tattoos
• [20:17] — The timeline: meeting David, running away, and disappearing for good
• [21:07] — Celeste’s secret relationship with David grows as his fame rises
• [30:03] — Breakdown of David’s music career and image
• [30:38] — Analysis of “Romantic Homicide” lyrics and implications
• [35:40] — Nancy confronts evidence of concealment and secrecy
• [40:11] — Public and industry reaction after body discovery
• [41:33] — Pregnancy rumors and investigation into infant remains
• [45:28] — Digital forensic potential of the Tesla
• [47:56] — David discusses inspiration for “Romantic Homicide” (audio)
• [49:34] — Analysis of leaked song “Celeste Demo Unfin” lyrics
• [52:14] — Nancy's final call to action and reminder that no formal charges have been made

Conclusion

Nancy Grace’s examination of the Celeste case underscores failures at multiple levels: in how society describes and discounts runaway teens, in the reluctance of law enforcement to move more aggressively, and in public tolerance for celebrity behavior until an outcry occurs. The discussion interweaves forensic fact, psychological theory, legal arguments, and disturbing lyrical subtext, painting a clear picture of a vulnerable girl caught in the vortex of fame, secrecy, and violence.
No arrests or charges had been made by the time of recording.

If you have any information about Celeste Rivas’ disappearance or death, please contact LAPD at 213-486-6890.