Fame Under Fire: "Singer D4vd Named as Grand Jury 'Target'"
Host: Anushka Matanda Doughty
Expert Guest: Sean Kent, Trial Attorney
Date: March 5, 2026
Podcast: BBC Sounds
Episode Overview
This episode dives into the disturbing and high-profile case surrounding the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez and the ongoing investigation involving singer D4vd, who has now been named as a "target" of a grand jury. Through legal guidance from resident trial attorney Sean Kent, host Anushka Matanda Doughty unpacks the facts, dispels rumors, explains the legal process, and addresses the highly charged online discourse surrounding the case. The episode also tackles conspiracy theories relating to the Epstein files in a dedicated "Fact or Fiction" segment.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Case Background: The Death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez (01:09–06:48)
- Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 13-year-old from Lake Elsinore, California, went missing in April 2024 after multiple prior disappearances.
- Over a year later, her decomposed, dismembered body was discovered in September 2025 in a black Tesla Model X, abandoned and impounded in Hollywood.
- Details shared directly from court documents were graphic, with police noting the body's condition and the use of multiple cadaver bags.
- The body was confirmed as Celeste’s a day before what would have been her 15th birthday.
"On September 8, 2025...the manager stated a black Tesla Model X had been impounded as an abandoned vehicle...there was a strong smell of decay coming from the vehicle."
— Anushka Matanda Doughty quoting court documents (02:00–03:45)
2. Singer D4vd’s Involvement & Online Firestorm (04:57–06:48)
- The Tesla was registered to singer D4vd, a well-known pop artist with immense social media and streaming popularity.
- D4vd’s public profile includes high-profile music collaborations, millions of listeners, and viral TikTok hits.
- Following the discovery, photos and videos surfaced online, allegedly showing D4vd and Celeste together, with matching ‘shh’ tattoos and an unreleased song titled “Celeste.”
- No charges or arrests to date, and the official autopsy findings have been sealed, fueling public speculation and internet theories.
"The world wants to know what happened to that little girl and why does it feel like the case has stalled?"
— Anushka Matanda Doughty (06:35)
3. Legal Process Explained: Grand Jury, Subpoenas, and Target Status (06:48–15:07)
- Grand Jury: Sean Kent clarifies the role—a panel that reviews evidence and testimony to decide on indictments.
- Subpoenas: D4vd’s family (mother, father, sister) were subpoenaed and contested the order, citing violations of due process, which multiple courts rejected.
- Target: Revealed in recently filed Texas court documents, D4vd is officially the “target” of the investigation—a rare and significant label in state cases.
“A grand jury is an investigative body…they look at all evidence…make a decision whether or not you should be charged.”
— Sean Kent (07:32)
- Legal maneuvering: Family argued their due process was violated due to redacted details, filing a writ of habeas corpus—ultimately denied.
"You cannot avoid subpoenas. We've sent this proper subpoena. There's not a constitutional right to avoid legal process."
— Sean Kent (13:30)
4. Sealed Medical Records and Delays in Charging (15:07–21:03)
- Medical Examiner’s Role: Explained as the determiner of "cause" and "manner" of death.
- Cause: The physiological event (gunshot, heart attack, etc.)
- Manner: Categories are accident, suicide, natural, homicide, or undetermined.
- Sealing the Autopsy: The cause and manner of death are withheld, potentially to keep the suspect cooperating or because the examiner could not conclusively determine either.
"All homicide means is the death was caused at the hands of another person. That's all homicide means. People get confused and think every homicide is a murder."
— Sean Kent (16:33)
- Case Progress: Six months on, no charges or indictments. Online accusations claim mishandling, but Kent warns against presuming incompetence based on timing—thorough investigations take time and can prevent wrongful arrests.
"Sometimes law enforcement is in a rush to arrest…and sometimes when you charge too fast and too incorrectly, you get it wrong."
— Sean Kent (20:20)
5. Law, Evidence, and Online Theories (21:03–30:49)
- Online Theories: Claims of romantic involvement between D4vd (adult) and Celeste (minor), with potential criminal implications if proven.
- Legal Prosecution: Would focus on all plausible charges if substantiated, but proving sexual involvement post-mortem is extremely challenging. Relationship could serve as a hypothetical motive in a prosecution narrative.
- Music and Lyrics as Evidence: D4vd’s songs and music videos contain lyrics and visuals some see as ominously related.
- Legal admissibility of artistic work is contentious; generally only allowed if highly relevant, but could be used for motive or character assessment, especially if the defendant testifies.
"On one side…This is artistic freedom…Prosecutors, on the other hand, are saying…these are usually first person encounters…and we should be able to utilize them…"
— Sean Kent (25:26)
- Dismemberment & Cadaver Bags: The intentional concealment and dismemberment of the body could lead to additional charges or stiffer penalties if proved as premeditated.
- The prosecution could argue that the use of purchased cadaver bags (including online purchases) demonstrates planning (murder) rather than reaction (manslaughter).
"They will say that the murder is the intentional killing, the premeditated intentional killing of another with malice of forethought…The level of planning and preparation that went forth."
— Sean Kent (29:38)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On the online rush to judgment:
“[He] is an innocent man. Innocent until proven guilty. I mean, that is the standard.”
— Anushka Matanda Doughty (15:10) -
On legal process and privilege:
“There is not a privilege that exists between a person's mother, their father, their best friend, their neighbor…they can be forced to come and testify.”
— Sean Kent (14:04) -
On use of music as legal evidence:
“If an individual takes the stand…that opens door for all the rap lyrics to come in and start asking questions about it…”
— Sean Kent (26:00)
Important Segment Timestamps
| Timestamp | Segment / Topic | |------------|---------------------------------------------------------| | 01:09–04:35| Case background: disappearance, discovery, and details | | 04:57–06:48| D4vd’s career, evidence surfacing, online reaction | | 06:48–10:29| Grand jury process, subpoenas, family’s legal maneuvers | | 10:29–15:07| Due process rights & privilege in testimony explained | | 15:07–19:36| Autopsy details, difference between homicide and murder | | 19:36–22:01| Delay in charging, case progress is not mishandling | | 22:01–24:21| Romantic links: legal implications of relationship | | 24:21–27:13| Lyrics and video as evidence: artistic freedom vs. fact| | 27:13–30:49| Dismemberment, "special circumstances," premeditation |
Epstein "Fact or Fiction" (30:56–37:35)
Addressing Social Media Theories on High-Profile Cases
- Did Epstein files mention Madeleine McCann or Michael Jackson as a rescuer?
- Answer:
Madeleine McCann appears only via unsubstantiated public FBI tips—no evidence or confirmation of involvement with Epstein or his network. Michael Jackson appears in the files as a celebrity, not as a rescuer. No evidence supports online claims that Jackson was involved in saving Epstein victims.
- Answer:
- Key Reminder: Presence of someone’s name in files does not indicate guilt or involvement.
- Host’s Tone: Deliberate debunking, careful sifting of facts from widespread internet conspiracy.
"From what we've seen in the Epstein files, there's no link between Epstein, Madeleine McCann and Cassiopeia."
— Anushka Matanda Doughty (32:31)
"There is no suggestion that appearing in the documents implies any wrongdoing."
— Anushka Matanda Doughty (35:17)
Summary
This episode provides a clear, methodical look at a shocking and evolving criminal investigation, balancing direct reporting on the facts, analysis of complex legal procedures, and myth-busting around social media theories. With expert context from Sean Kent, listeners come away understanding both what is known and what remains opaque—and why. The message: facts matter, due process is essential, and online speculation is no substitute for evidence.
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