Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: PLEA DEAL? D4VD "COOKED" ARREST IN DEATH OF CELESTE, 13
Date: January 28, 2026

Overview

In this gripping episode, Nancy Grace and an expert panel dissect the latest developments in the disturbing case of Celeste Rivas, a 13-year-old girl whose dismembered remains were found in the trunk of a Tesla belonging to internet celebrity and musician David Anthony Burke (D4VD). The episode centers on the recent arrest of Burke’s close friend, Neo Langston, who evaded testifying as a material witness before a grand jury. The panel debates whether a plea or immunity deal is being brokered, explores the nature of the evidence, and delves into the relationships and behaviors of those circled around Celeste’s tragic fate.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breaking Developments: Arrest and Possible Plea Deal

• Arrest of Neo Langston

  • Neo Langston, Burke’s longtime best friend, was arrested in Montana after failing to appear as a material witness before the grand jury investigating Celeste’s death (02:03–02:17).
  • Langston was found hiding at his mother’s house, leading Nancy to comment on the predictability of suspects retreating to a maternal safe haven (02:20, 17:25–18:38).
  • LAPD is believed to have obtained timeline evidence via digital tracking of Langston’s and Burke’s devices (04:02–05:39).

• Speculation about a Plea or Immunity Deal

  • Steve Fisher (investigator): “I think he might be getting an immunity deal, because … I'd expect him to possibly be a target.” (03:33)
  • Nancy: “He can either be a co-defendant or he can be a witness. ... Did you dig the hole, or do you want to end up in the hole?” (04:02–05:39)

• Defense Perspective

  • Joanna Nieves (defense attorney): “He may be being called in to stick a timeline down. He may be exculpating David in some way or another person … We don’t know what his testimony will be.” (05:39–06:45)
  • Nancy Grace’s skepticism: “They did not drag him home from Helena, Montana back to LA to ask about his relationship with David Anthony Burke … that did not happen.” (06:41–07:51)

2. The Evidence: Digital Trails, Surveillance, and Discovery

• Digital, Video, and Forensic Evidence

  • LAPD is triangulating social media, cell phone, GPS, Tesla data to create an almost minute-by-minute account (21:33, 34:21).
  • Steve Fisher collected “ring cam and other video of the neighborhood as D4VD’s Tesla was moved from spot to spot.” (13:01–13:52)
  • Fisher found a camera memory card left behind that contained over 1,100 photos, documenting the close relationship between Burke and Langston (09:06–10:59).
  • Chainsaw and home incinerator (“burn cage”) were also recovered—potential tools in the dismemberment and attempted destruction of Celeste’s body (10:33, 22:11, 26:12).

• Photos, Relationships, and Testimony

  • Many photos showed D4VD and Langston together—fully clothed, but notably close (10:59–11:32). Few, if any, show Celeste.
  • Nancy: “What I care about is if there is an unbreakable bond between Neo Langston and David … if there is, I’m not going to get anything out of Langston.” (11:51–13:01)

3. Forensic and Investigative Analysis

• Forensic Questions and Implications
  • Joe Scott Morgan (forensic expert): “He [Langston] is a major thread in this case because he has intimate knowledge of [Celeste’s] movements through the house.” (24:02–26:12)
  • Investigators will compare Langston’s fingerprints and DNA to evidence collected from the crime scene, including on knives and tools (27:09–27:48, 30:38–32:26).
  • Discussion of “touch DNA” vs. “seminal deposition” and how these help establish presence and possible sexual abuse (32:26–34:11).

4. Timeline and Cause of Death

• Establishing Celeste’s Timeline

  • Last known photo of Celeste, looking “lost and defeated,” was taken Jan 2, 2025, at Baldwin Hills by Burke (35:09–37:14).

    “She just looks so lost and confused … 14 years old and some guy has lured her into this life, away from her family and her school … she just looks sad.” — Steve Fisher (35:09)

  • The Tesla was moved around the neighborhood months later, with the timeline possibly complicated by the use of a second, newer Tesla acquired Feb 1 (37:51–38:33).

• Disturbing Discovery Relayed by a Neighbor

  • Neighbors mistook the odor of Celeste’s decomposing body for a buried dog; the smell disappeared when the car (with her body in it) vanished (39:13–40:09).

    “You’re saying that the stench of Celeste’s decomposing body … was mistaken for a dead dog that had been buried.” — Nancy Grace (39:55)

• State of the Remains and Forensic Hurdles

  • Her remains were so decomposed that cause of death may not be determined (36:25–37:14).
  • Modern forensics might use gut microbial succession to home in on an accurate time of death (41:09–43:46).

5. Relationship Dynamics and Motives

• Nancy’s Examination of Persona vs. Reality

  • D4VD (Burke) presented a rap “bad boy” persona, despite a privileged upbringing—discussed as a marketing/image strategy, not criminal behavior (28:16–30:07).
  • Defense: “We can’t blame him for his artistic expression. … It doesn’t necessarily mean that’s who he is at the core.” — Joanna Nieves (29:47)

• Questionable Behavior: Access to Minors

  • Burke filmed himself at high schools, handing out concert tickets and merchandise, purposely without school permission—interpreted as viral marketing, but raising red flags:

    “Why is David Anthony Burke an adult, hanging around with unfettered access to high school girls and boys? Isn't that where Celeste was before she got plucked out?” — Nancy Grace (45:29)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Arrest & Immunity Negotiations

• “I think he might be getting an immunity deal, because … I’d expect him to possibly be a target.”
  — Steve Fisher (03:33)
• “He can be a witness today and a defendant tomorrow, based on what happens at this juncture.”
  — Nancy Grace (20:34)

Forensics & Timelines

• “I’m getting a buckle of mucosal swab off of them … I want to know if there’s any seminal deposition around this place. I want to know who it links back to.”
  — Joe Scott Morgan (30:38–32:26)
• “Just when I think I’ve heard it all… the smell of her decomposing body was confused for a dead dog…”
  — Nancy Grace (40:25)

Persona & Motive

• “I don’t care who is sleeping together… What I care about is if there is an unbreakable bond between Neo Langston and David Anthony Burke.”
  — Nancy Grace (11:51)
• “He’s assuming the persona of a badass rapper. … [but] completely different than who he actually really is.”
  — Nancy Grace (29:27)

Behavior at Schools

• “He’s putting up social media posts saying, hey, I’m outside this school… come out, I’ll give you tickets. …He avoided telling the schools or seeking permission or anything.”
  — Dave Mack (45:06–48:31)
• “He thinks handing out tickets out front is just good marketing ... But for a suspect in a case like Celeste’s, it’s deeply disturbing.”
  — Alexis Terescuk (46:04–46:19)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| MM:SS | Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------| | 00:33 | Nancy Grace outlines the case and arrest | | 03:33 | Steve Fisher discusses possible immunity deal | | 05:39 | Joanna Nieves: Langston's possible role | | 09:06 | Steve Fisher describes photo evidence | | 13:01 | Surveillance of Tesla, ring cam video | | 16:49 | Immunity versus prosecution for Langston | | 18:38 | Analysis of why suspects run to ‘mommy’ | | 19:00 | Alexis Terescuk: Langston’s background | | 21:33 | Panel explains LAPD’s digital timeline | | 24:02 | Joe Scott Morgan on forensic testimony | | 27:09 | Fisher details fingerprints/DNA investigation | | 30:38 | Morgan: DNA collection and importance | | 35:09 | Fisher describes last photo of Celeste | | 39:13 | Fisher: Neighbor’s mistaken stench | | 41:09 | Morgan: Microbial time-of-death technique | | 45:29 | Burke’s high school encounters | | 47:55 | Ehret: Discord video, possible grooming |

Conclusion

This episode weaves together breaking legal developments, behind-the-scenes investigation, expert forensic insight, and probing questions of motive and morality. Nancy Grace presses her panel: Will evidence extracted from Langston turn him from witness to co-defendant? Is a plea deal imminent—or will he be offered immunity to testify against Burke? The episode lays bare the emotional toll of losing hope for justice, the complexities of digital and forensic evidence, and the evolving roles of key players. As the panel closes, Nancy reminds listeners: “If you know or think you know anything … however inconsequential you think it may be, please dial 213-486-6890.”