Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: P.I. DROPS BOMBSHELL: NEW PROBE IN TEEN CELESTE’S BODY IN SINGER D4VD’S TESLA

Date: October 22, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the shocking discovery of a decomposing teenage girl, Celeste, in a Tesla owned by singer D4VD (David Anthony Burke). Nancy Grace and her all-star panel—featuring a private investigator, medical examiner, legal and publicity experts—unpack the latest developments in the ongoing investigation. A private investigator reveals new surveillance evidence and the timeline of events, prompting tough questions about who knew what, when, and why there’s been so little public communication or action from the principal figures involved.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Discovery and Initial Investigation

[01:46–02:30]

• Nancy Grace introduces the case: Celeste's body, badly decomposed, is found in D4VD’s Tesla, and LAPD determines it's a homicide.
• Emphasis is placed on motive—"Who would have a motive to kill her?" (Nancy Grace, 01:57).

2. Private Investigator’s Involvement and Timeline

[03:16–07:50]

• Steve Fisher (Private Investigator) was hired by the homeowner after a forced search entry because of his previous missing person investigation and findings.
• Surveillance videos from ring cameras and neighborhood cameras establish a timeline for the Tesla's movements:
  • Fisher establishes that on July 29th, around 11 am, the Tesla—a daily driver for Burke, now dirty and damaged—was parked in its final location (Steve Fisher, 07:50).
  • The Tesla had moved only a block and a half but appeared to have been sitting unused for weeks.

“It moved to that last spot on July 29th at about 11 something in the morning. ... It had not been used in a long time. They had clearly just been moving it around different areas of the neighborhood.”
— Steve Fisher (07:50)

3. Video Evidence and Driver Identity

[10:48–11:23], [24:07–26:21]

• The surveillance footage shows the Tesla coming from the direction of Burke’s mansion, but Fisher will not name the driver, citing client confidentiality (Steve Fisher, 24:07–25:29).
• Fisher confirms a clear image of the person driving the Tesla on July 29th, stating:

"I can identify the person from when they drove within four or five feet of the camera.”
— Steve Fisher (24:25)

• The window was rolled down despite the car containing a body, likely due to the overwhelming odor (26:03–26:21).

4. Celeste’s Disappearance Timeline

[22:19–23:15]

• According to family sources and panelists, Celeste had left home about a year earlier, returned several times, but had not been seen by her family for at least six months prior to being found (Katie Forrester, 22:35).
• The last confirmed sighting of Celeste alive is an August 4th concert, wearing the same outfit she was found in.

5. Suspicious Actions & Gaps in Behavior

[18:02–18:54], [19:10–20:31]

• D4VD (Burke) never reported his Tesla or Celeste missing, although he was apparently close to her (Katie Forrester, 18:44/18:50).
• Discussion around public relations: If innocent, why not be proactive and transparent? (Rob Shooter, 15:45–17:02).

6. Legal Strategy and Public Silence

[29:13–31:38]

• Defense and PR experts clash:
  • PR view: If you're innocent, tell your story.
  • Legal view: Say nothing, let police build a case; "right now, they don't have enough to prosecute him" (Randy Kessler, 30:18).
• The discussion turns heated regarding why Burke or his lawyer hasn't pushed for answers or is engaging with the investigation at all.

7. Condition of the Vehicle and Investigation Details

[33:09–36:00]

• Fisher reports that the Tesla, normally kept clean, was found extremely dirty and damaged—a sharp contrast to Burke’s other Tesla, kept in the garage.
• The car’s filthy and battered state ultimately prompted neighbors to report it as abandoned, leading to its towing (Steve Fisher, 35:40).

8. Timeline Coincidence: Car Movement & Burke’s Tour

[34:53–36:32]

• On the same evening as the Tesla is last moved, Burke embarks on his world tour—raising suspicions about the timing (Nancy Grace, 36:00).
• Legal experts note this is "a little bit of circumstantial evidence," not definitive, but useful (Randy Kessler, 36:23).

9. House Security, Drains, and Evidence Collection

[37:30–44:22]

• The house had a sophisticated internal/external security system, but it is unclear if the internal cameras were active—smoke detectors were covered, and the LAPD confiscated the DVR system (Steve Fisher, 37:43).
• Drains searched for evidence of blood; removal of computers and other items reported (Katie Forrester, 43:48).

10. Handling the Fallout: PR and Reputation

[41:46–42:51]

• Merchandise linked to Burke's brand, including “bloody shirt” items, was belatedly pulled in response to the investigation, underscoring missteps in PR management (Nancy Grace, 41:46).

“This should have been removed immediately. ... they fixed it, but it took them way too long.”
— Rob Shooter (42:11)

11. Autopsy & Cause of Death

[49:06–49:44]

• Celeste was found dismembered, but autopsy hasn’t clarified cause of death; toxicology and hidden trauma (e.g., strangulation) considered (Dr. Kendall Crowns, 49:06).

12. Legal Representation

[48:10–49:55]

• Burke hires Blair Burke, a high-profile defense attorney known for her work with notorious clients. Her appointment seen as a strategic move to manage the crisis and maintain silence.

"She is the go to person. She is discreet, she's private and she is who you want to get.”
— Randy Kessler (49:55)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Investigation Tactics:

“You cannot put Fisher up on the stand and say, what did the lawyer say to you? That's hearsay. And there's no exception.” — Nancy Grace (30:28)

• On the Disregard for the Victim:

"She could have been convinced that all of this was her decisions, but no one is talking about what was going on in that house." — Dr. John de la Torre (32:24)

• On Legal Strategy vs. Humanity:

“If my husband was decomposing in somebody's trunk, I would be jumping on their chest until I found out who drove the car there.”
— Nancy Grace (31:15)

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | Details | |------------|---------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:46 | Episode opens on Celeste’s death | Nancy Grace frames the mystery and outlines early facts | | 07:50 | Bombshell Timeline | Steve Fisher establishes the key date: July 29th, 11am | | 18:44–18:54| "Lightning round"—crucial confirmations | D4VD never reported Tesla or Celeste missing (Katie Forrester) | | 24:25 | Key Evidence: Face-shot of Tesla driver | Steve Fisher details the captured image on surveillance | | 26:21 | Decomp Odor Analysis | Dr. Crowns discusses inevitable smells and their implications | | 34:53 | Car moved right before Burke's tour | Suspicious timing highlighted | | 35:40 | Car reported as abandoned | Neighbor calls in, leading to vehicle’s discovery | | 37:43 | House security system details | Fisher discusses cameras and possible tampering inside the rental mansion | | 41:46 | Bloody merch pulled from Burke's site | PR fallout intensifies | | 43:48 | Forensic search details | Drains, computers seized; questions about evidence collection methods | | 47:32 | Funeral—Burke did not attend | Dr. de la Torre expresses skepticism at the lack of public compassion | | 49:06 | Autopsy speculation | Dr. Crowns weighs in: cause of death remains unclear | | 49:55 | New defense attorney Blair Burke appointed | Randy Kessler affirms her skill and discretion |

Tone & Speaker Style

• Nancy Grace: Relentless, prosecutorial, emotionally direct. Demands answers, presses panelists, and refuses to let legal/PR euphemisms pass unchallenged.
• Steve Fisher: Careful, fact-focused; withholds direct accusation out of legal obligation, but insists he has definitive evidence.
• Rob Shooter (PR): Offers pragmatic, if sometimes uncomfortable, publicity tactics; emphasizes "the story."
• Randy Kessler (Legal): Cautious; advises silence and strategy over transparency, often in tension with Nancy.
• Dr. Kendall Crowns (ME): Clinical, detailed, direct about decomposition and forensics.
• Katie Forrester (Journalist): Detail-oriented, swift confirmations and reporting.

Conclusion

Nancy Grace’s episode wove together damning circumstantial evidence, PR missteps, and legal strategy surrounding the shocking death of Celeste in D4VD’s Tesla. A private investigator’s surveillance timeline puts the car in its final location right before Burke’s world tour, likely with Celeste’s body inside. Tension mounts as no one close to Burke seeks out answers, PR and legal remedies conflict, and the victim’s humanity is repeatedly emphasized amidst procedural wrangling. At episode’s close, the investigation remains active, with critical questions about Celeste’s cause of death—and the truth behind her tragic end—unanswered.