Criminally Obsessed
Episode: Who REALLY Is D4vd? Inside The Mind Of The Celebrity Murder Suspect
Host: Anne Emerson
Guest: Dr. John Delatorre
Date: April 28, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode delves into the disturbing murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, allegedly committed by singer David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd. With a focus on the psychological elements underpinning the crime, Host Anne Emerson and forensic psychologist Dr. John Delatorre explore the mind of the accused, dissecting not only the facts of the case but also the intertwining of art, fantasy, and violence, and what the evidence suggests about motive and mental state.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Opening Questions: The Psychology of the Crime
- Anne raises the chilling question: "What kind of person kills a 14-year-old girl, cuts off her arms and legs and puts her body in the front of a Tesla?" (00:00)
- The case references D4vd's artistic work, pointing to dark music videos and lyrics as possible precursors or reflections of his mindset.
2. Psychopathy vs. Calculation
- Expert Input: Dr. John Delatorre joins to analyze whether the murder reflects psychopathy.
- Clinical Analysis:
- Dr. Delatorre notes the absence of rage or passion in the killing, instead describing it as cold and calculated. (01:45)
- “But when I look at what happened and I look at the charges right here… this seems more cold than retribution filled or rage filled... Could it be a psychopath? Yeah, absolutely could be. But I'm not, I'm not seeing signs other than this was a child that was murdered.” (02:11)
- Host Reflection: Anne remarks that the unnerving coldness of the crime is in some ways even more disturbing than rage-fueled violence. (03:29)
3. Autopsy Findings & Crime Scene Details
- Injury Analysis:
- Only two stab wounds are found, suggesting the attack was not prolonged or rage-driven. (03:46)
- The placement of wounds implies the killer stood behind the victim, possibly restraining her. (05:53)
- Dismemberment:
- The dismemberment is concluded to be postmortem, likely utilitarian—to fit the body in the Tesla’s "frunk" (front trunk). (03:46)
- Missing fingers (a pinky and a ring finger) are highlighted as unusual, but Dr. Delatorre posits they may have come off unintentionally during the attack or dismemberment. (08:25)
- “One digit in particular is significant. Right. Your right ring finger is a significant digit to kind of lose…” (08:39)
4. The Question of Motive & Planning
- Premeditation:
- Dr. Delatorre explains that murder is rarely spontaneous; there is often a period of fantasy or planning, but this case does not seem meticulously premeditated. (10:40)
- “It's usually a long period of time in which they have been fantasizing about doing some kind of harm… then the fantasy isn't enough.” (10:41, also referenced earlier at 00:39)
- Paralysis & Cognitive Overload:
- The perpetrator might have been overwhelmed and indecisive after the killing, leading to clumsy attempts at body disposal. (12:00)
- “You ultimately end up not making a choice at all because it's just so overwhelming.” (12:03)
5. Clues from the Scene & Investigation
- Physical Evidence:
- Burn cage and chainsaw found at the scene but unused, illustrating perhaps an aborted attempt or lack of resolve to destroy the body. (12:23)
- “People think that this is a lot easier to do than what it actually is... It never goes the way that you had fantasized it going.” (12:59)
6. Victim & Suspect Dynamics
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Role of the Suspect:
- David Anthony Burke was charged with capital murder; prosecutors allege he was "lying in wait" and sexually abusing the victim. (17:58)
- Dr. Delatorre stresses that while suspicion is high, evidence tying all aspects to Burke will need to be thoroughly established in court. (14:13)
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Nature of the Killing:
- It was not likely a crime of passion but a "utilitarian" killing, carried out to get rid of someone rather than for power or rage. (19:02)
- “All this points to getting rid of a person, not a killing of passion out of jealousy, not of a huge fight that turned bad...” (18:47)
7. Art and Fantasy: When Lyrics Come to Life
- Dark Artistry:
- Anne and Dr. Delatorre discuss D4vd’s lyrics, notably the song "Romantic Homicide," released on Celeste’s birthday, and how his music videos feature girls resembling the victim. (20:34)
- Quote from lyrics: “I killed you and I didn't even regret it. I can't believe I said it.” (20:34)
- Fantasy Translated to Reality:
- Dr. Delatorre analyzes how artistic fantasy can sometimes spill over into real life: “The fantasy life isn't enough. And then you kind of gotta act out.” (22:42)
- The act of gendering the victim in his lyrics is interpreted as a manifestation of real, targeted fantasy. (25:11)
8. The "Itami" Persona and Mental Health
- Alter Ego:
- David described having an alter ego "Itami" (pain in Japanese), a detective persona who both commits and solves murders in his imagined stories. (27:15)
- Duality and Objectification:
- Dr. Delatorre connects this duality to objectification: the victim becomes less than human, mere fodder for the killer’s narrative. (27:56)
- The duality allows the perpetrator to "maintain a mask"—simultaneously creating harm and seeking redemption. (29:31)
- No Dissociative Identity Disorder:
- Dr. Delatorre doubts true multiple personalities are at play; rather, he sees it as youthful naivety and immaturity. (31:33)
- “These aren't elements of a dissociative identity disorder… all I see is someone who is very young and very naive and very immature.” (31:33)
9. Evidence and Potential Defense
- Massive Digital Evidence:
- Authorities have seized 40 terabytes of digital evidence, including child sexual abuse material, underscoring the gravity of the case and the likely plea strategy. (36:38)
- Insanity Defense?:
- Dr. Delatorre leans toward a plea deal rather than an insanity defense, unless toxicology or competency issues arise. (37:30)
10. Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments
- On the psychology of murder:
- “The psychopath doesn't need a reason to kill you… they just do it because it was a Tuesday.” (16:31, Dr. Delatorre)
- On body disposal and indecision:
- “There's an element of cognitive overload where you're thinking about all the different scenarios… that you ultimately end up not making a choice at all..” (12:03, Dr. Delatorre)
- On the blend of fantasy, art, and real life:
- “The level of depravity disguised as art. I think he recognized that he was on this train, and it's unfortunate that it seems as though Celeste is the victim of what this train ended up being.” (38:53, Dr. Delatorre)
Important Segment Timestamps
- Opening & case summary: 00:00–00:39
- Dr. Delatorre on signs of psychopathy: 01:45–03:46
- Autopsy & wounds discussion: 03:46–08:25
- Missing fingers & forensic theories: 08:25–09:56
- Planning, fantasy, & perpetrator’s paralysis: 10:40–12:23
- Scene evidence (burn cage, chainsaw): 12:23–13:54
- Nature of killing & prosecution’s theory: 17:58–19:02
- Art, lyrics, and alleged fantasy fulfillment: 20:34–25:11
- Alter ego Itami & fantasy vs. reality: 27:15–31:33
- Clues, evidence, and defense strategy: 36:38–37:30
- Final thoughts on depravity and art: 38:53
Tone & Closing
True to the show’s style, Anne Emerson approaches the horror and spectacle of the crime with deep empathy for the victim and a keen skepticism about narratives shaped by shocking art and tabloid headlines. Dr. Delatorre brings forensic clarity and psychological nuance, emphasizing that while the media and public often leap to labels like "psychopath," the reality may be more mundane—and more disturbing for its lack of theatrical motive.
Final note from Dr. Delatorre (38:53):
"The level of depravity disguised as art. I think he recognized that he was on this train... and it's unfortunate that it seems as though Celeste is the victim of what this train ended up being.”
This episode offers a multifaceted look at the intersection of crime, mental health, and celebrity, reminding listeners that behind every headline is a victim whose story demands compassion—and a suspect whose true motives often remain maddeningly opaque.