Podcast Summary:

Drop Dead Serious With Ashleigh Banfield
Episode: HAUNTING Surveillance Video of Celeste Emerges & TICKETS PILED UP on D4vd’s Abandoned Tesla
Date: September 27, 2025
Host: Ashleigh Banfield
Notable Guests: Steve Fisher (Private Investigator), Charles Ledebodier (TMZ Reporter)

Overview of the Episode

This episode focuses on the deeply troubling case of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old found dead in the trunk of a Tesla belonging to rising music star David Anthony Burke (stage name D4vd). Banfield guides listeners through the latest developments, including newly released surveillance footage, the timeline of the abandoned Tesla, insights from on-the-ground reporting, and the uncertainties still surrounding both the investigation and those involved. With her signature mix of irreverence and gravitas, Banfield dissects key details, interviews experts, and raises critical questions about justice, celebrity, and silent complicity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The State of the Investigation

• Celeste’s Death & David’s Involvement:
  • Celeste, aged only 14, was found decomposing in the trunk of David's Tesla (01:04). Their relationship reportedly began when she was as young as 12 or 13 and he was 17 or 18.
  • Despite the circumstances, David has not been charged, named as a person of interest, or classified as a suspect (04:45). The police and LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell remain tight-lipped, though McDonnell’s recent public use of "homicide" marked a turning point:
    • "Certainly whenever you investigate a homicide, the detectives look at all of the associated issues as well." (04:52)
  • The case is officially being treated as a homicide, ruling out overdose or suicide as causes (05:00, 39:54).

The Abandoned Tesla: Timeline & Neighborhood Response

• Paper Trail & Procedure:
  • Private investigator Steve Fisher tracked the first complaint about David's Tesla to August 26; it was ticketed August 27, ticketed again September 3, and towed September 5 (07:15).
  • Standard LA procedures require three separate visits (and tire chalkings) before towing for abandonment; the process was slowed by the Labor Day holiday (09:54).
• Neighborhood Observations:
  • Neighbors believe the car may have sat, unmoved, for over a month (08:27). Dirt was so caked on the windshield that the car would have been undrivable.
  • Curiously, reports did not note the strong odor despite the body decomposing inside. Fisher suggests the car’s location—a semisecluded, curved street with tall hedges—was "as good a place as any" to leave a vehicle undisturbed (10:55).
  • The Tesla was only about 150 feet (half a block) from David's house (14:15), raising questions about whether the smell could have reached his residence.

Forensic & Visual Clues

• Physical Evidence:
  • The Tesla (a 2023 Model X) showed unexpected damage—dents, missing fenders, battered wheel wells—that was not present in earlier photographs (15:11).
  • The “frunk” (front trunk) size of the Model X is cited as possibly relevant for how Celeste’s body was concealed (16:34).
• Surveillance Video:
  • TMZ released video from a Lake Elsinore liquor store’s security camera showing Celeste walking, then running, down the street at 7 a.m. on March 19, 2024 (17:01).
  • The store owner, "Ellie," confirms Celeste got into a car, but could not identify the vehicle or driver (18:40).

Celeste’s Life & Character

• Runaway Pattern & Community Silence:
  • Celeste ran away several times in early 2024, sometimes ending up in Hollywood and spending time with David, according to a teacher and others (18:40).
  • Despite law enforcement sources claiming a “troubled home,” Ellie the store owner remembers her as a normal, happy kid who bought candy and snacks—not a “wild child” (25:00, 25:40).
• Concerns About Community Cooperation:
  • Banfield and Ledebodier speculate that concerns over immigration enforcement may hinder some in the Hispanic community from cooperating or speaking with police (24:26).

The Investigation’s Gaps, Police Silence, and Social Media Role

• Unusually Tight-Lipped LAPD:
  • Both Banfield and Ledebodier note the investigation is “one of the most tight lipped” in recent memory (29:31).
  • LAPD has not issued the standard call for public tips, which might indicate they “got what they need” but are wary of missteps before charging anyone (30:07).
• Role of Social Media & True Crime Sleuths:
  • Massive amounts of digital communication exist among David, his fans, and Celeste on Discord and other platforms; Banfield and Ledebodier suggest this could help the investigation—if properly analyzed (32:07).
  • "Homicide divisions would be well advised to invest in that kind of, you know, skill set because that's where a lot of the evidence is these days." – Banfield (34:02)

David’s Alibi and Tour Schedule

• Tour Timeline Analysis:
  • Banfield examines David’s concert and travel schedule in detail, highlighting 13 days off (not including back-to-back multi-day breaks) where he could have traveled between shows and Los Angeles (36:31).
  • Private flights increase his mobility. It's challenging to pin down his whereabouts with certainty for some critical periods, especially around when Celeste may have died.
• Current Status:
  • Concerts and tours have been canceled since Celeste’s body was found. David’s music streams have massively increased post-headlines—a morbid testament to public fascination (40:12).
  • Meanwhile, a “Justice for Celeste” meme coin has bizarrely emerged, trading for real currency—prompting Banfield to ask whether this is “tribute or exploitation” (41:15).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On "Homicide" Classification:

  • “Homicide means death at the hands of another... It does not mean an overdose or an accidental overdose or suicide. It means someone did this to her. That's the first time we're hearing that.”
    — Ashleigh Banfield (05:00)

• On Neighborhood Car Protocols:

  • “A traffic officer has to come out at least three times before they can tow it. On three different days they have to chalk the tires, make sure it hasn't moved...”
    — Steve Fisher, Private Investigator (07:15)

• On Community Reluctance:

  • “There is concern among a lot in the Hispanic community to stay under the radar right now... There's a fear that there could be an ICE implication.”
    — Ashleigh Banfield (24:26)

• On Celeste’s Persona:

  • “She wasn’t a wild girl... she came into the store to buy candy, chips and gum. And that just broke my heart... Because that is what a 13 year old kid does.”
    — Ashleigh Banfield (25:40)

• On Investigative Silence:

  • “This is one of the most tight lipped cases they've had... There is a clear order from someone to make sure that we keep a tight lid...”
    — Charles Ledebodier (29:31)

• On Social Media as Evidence:

  • “There is a ton of information that is available there in David's communications with his fans and his fans communications with Celeste. Whether or not any of it is going to lead to a location... we haven’t seen that yet. But... if you have people on social media who are digging through it themselves, you never know, one of them might find the thing.”
    — Charles Ledebodier (32:07)

• On Public Fascination and Exploitation:

  • “Her name has become a token... 'Justice for Celeste' coins are trading online for actual money. Hundreds of thousands of dollars worth, in fact. But where is that money coming from?... Tribute or exploitation? And on that, I say the jury is out.”
    — Ashleigh Banfield (41:15)

Timeline & Timestamps of Important Segments

• [01:04] - Banfield introduces the case, provides context on Celeste and David, outlines the raid and current police silence.
• [04:52] - Discussion of LAPD chief’s first public use of "homicide."
• [07:15, 08:27, 09:54] - Steve Fisher details timeline of the abandoned Tesla and neighbors' reports.
• [10:55, 14:15] - Steve Fisher describes the strategic location of the car and proximity to David's house.
• [15:11, 16:34] - Analysis of unusual car damage and Model X specifics.
• [17:01–23:15] - New surveillance video: Celeste’s last-known steps, neighborhood input, and community reticence.
• [24:26, 25:00] - Ellie the store owner and the challenges of information-gathering in the Hispanic community.
• [29:31–30:37] - Discussion of LAPD’s unusual silence and possible reasons.
• [32:07–34:02] - Social media’s investigative role; digital sleuthing in Discord and elsewhere.
• [36:31–41:15] - Detailed breakdown of David’s tour dates, potential alibi, and the spike in music streams and meme coins.
• [39:54] - Reiteration: Celeste’s death is officially a homicide, David remains publicly silent.

Conclusion & Ongoing Questions

Ashleigh Banfield leaves listeners with pressing questions:

• Why has the LAPD been so circumspect and what is their next move?
• Who, in reality, was the last person to see Celeste alive, and why did so many indicators (police visits, car tickets, community interaction) fail to lead to earlier discovery?
• Tragically, Celeste’s brief life and unsolved death continue to fuel internet speculation and new layers of digital exploitation, even as vital answers remain elusive.

Banfield signs off with her characteristic blend of empathy and doggedness, promising continued coverage and a vigilant search for justice:

"The truth isn't just serious, it's drop dead seriously." (41:50)

Recommended for listeners looking for:

• Deep-dive true crime analysis
• On-the-ground reporting
• Honest grappling with justice, social media, and sensationalism
• Insight into police procedure, digital evidence, and community dynamics