Juicy Crimes with Heather McDonald

Episode: The D4VID Case, The Butt Lady, and the Menéndez Brothers (with Matt Murphy)

Release Date: October 15, 2025
Host: Heather McDonald
Guest: Matt Murphy (Surfing prosecutor, bestselling author)

Episode Overview

Heather McDonald welcomes back Matt Murphy—a celebrated former prosecutor and true-crime expert—to discuss some of Southern California’s most baffling, newsworthy, and conversation-sparking true crime cases. This wide-ranging episode covers the sensational D4VID murder case, the notorious “Butt Lady” malpractice tragedies, a high-profile Malibu vehicular manslaughter, recent developments for the Menéndez brothers, and the realities of criminal law, prosecution, and sentencing. Throughout, Heather and Matt fuse hard facts and legal insight with wry, incisive humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The D4VID Case: Tragic Murder and LA's Policing Crisis

(02:40–20:55)

• Case Summary: A 15-year-old girl’s dismembered body is found in a Tesla owned by the singer D4VID. Public outcry has centered on the investigation, concerns about police resources, and speculation about culpability.

• Investigation Updates (03:00–04:38):

  • The LAPD and coroner are working methodically due to pressure and forensic challenges (body heavily decomposed, dismembered).
  • Evidence includes partial remains, tattoos, and possible torso fragments inside Tesla.
  • Cause of death is unlisted so far, though Matt Murphy notes, "I've done five no-body murders where we had no cause of death... you can still prove it." (03:18)
  • D4VID hasn’t yet been charged; speculation persists due to his public profile and telling music videos referencing violence.

• Victim's Background and Forensics (04:39–09:06):

  • Victim (13 at the relationship’s inception) is believed to have lived with the singer.
  • Murphy underscores: "If you touch somebody who's 13... that's a completed child molestation in the state of California." (05:28–06:28)
  • Tesla’s tech (cameras, data recorders) may provide key evidence about car movements and drivers.

• On Police Funding and the “Defund” Movement (08:20–11:28):

  • Murphy is adamant about the negative impact of defunding, particularly on units handling major crimes:

    "Defund the police equals... the big winners are rapists, child molesters and murderers. What it results in is the broken hearts of mothers and fathers ... and the bad guy gets away with it." (09:09)

• Parental Accountability and Runaway Culture (11:28–14:10):

  • They debate the complexities of blame in runaway cases and evolving societal attitudes towards teenage runaways and underage relationships.
  • Heather: "I just can't believe that anyone ever thought that a girl that young could somehow be responsible for this situation with such an older guy." (13:35)

2. Fraud, Insurance, and “Fake Robbery” Law

(20:45–27:38)

• Heather asks about statutes of limitations on faked burglaries and insurance fraud scenarios.
• Murphy explains statutes vary by offense; most felonies (including fraud and burglary) have a 3-year limit.
• On conspiracies:

  "The statute's going to run upon discovery of the conspiracy… Typically, statutes are going to run—they know she was robbed, so the robbery is going to run from the day it happened. But the conspiracy, that probably runs from the date it’s discovered." (26:15–26:39)

• They riff on true-crime hypotheticals straight out of reality show storylines, noting how thin resources for fraud investigation further limit pursuit.

3. The "Butt Lady" Malibu Murder Case

(27:38–34:16)

• Libby Adam, self-styled buttocks “enhancement” provider, convicted of second-degree murder after giving fatal unlicensed silicone injections—after a prior involuntary manslaughter conviction for the same procedure.
• Murphy distinguishes between involuntary manslaughter and “implied malice” murder:
  • "Normal negligence… is different than somebody who is consciously aware of the danger… and does it anyway." (28:30)
  • On sentencing: "The cost of a human life for second-degree murder is basically 12 years [in CA]." (31:30)
  • Heather contrasts this with medical tourism horror stories and organ-theft rumors, adding levity: “You thought you got a tummy tuck… then someone says, when did you donate your kidney?” (34:21)

4. Malibu/PCH Vehicular Manslaughter: The Pepperdine Students

(37:30–46:13)

• Four Pepperdine seniors killed by Frazier Boehm’s BMW going 104 mph on Pacific Coast Highway.
• Matt describes prosecution strategy:
  • "104 miles an hour is the prosecution theory consciously disregarding the safety of everybody else on the road."
  • On alternative charges, Murphy critiques: “If you think it’s a second-degree murder, you go balls to the wall... Not even we know what it is” if you hedge with lesser included charges. (46:13)

5. The Rebecca Grossman Case Parallel

(46:13–55:04)

• The wealthy socialite, convicted of killing two in a crosswalk, is discussed as a cautionary tale about public behavior post-crime:
  • “She was just... a horrible human being who had zero remorse.” (46:40)
  • Murphy details the importance of remorse, legal strategy, and why silence is usually best while charges are pending.

6. Prison, Parole, and the Menéndez Brothers

(58:17–67:43)

• The Menéndez brothers were recently denied parole, due to ongoing dishonesty and repeated prison violations (notably, unauthorized cell phones and gang affiliation).
• Murphy is unsparing:

  "They lied from the 911 operator, they lied to their family at the funeral... If you believe they were molested by Jose Menendez, you don't get a free murder on the mom." (61:25)

• He describes lifer prison culture, the parole process, and why proper rule-following is key for eventual release.
• On insight and remorse:

  "It’s called insight... Has the inmate come to terms with what they did and are they frickin sorry for it?" (63:27)

7. Sentencing Insights & Diddy’s (Sean Combs) Prison Prospects

(55:16–58:17)

• Discussion of RDAP (Residential Drug & Alcohol Program) in federal prison and how Diddy could shave 12 months off a four-year sentence.
• Surprising detail: Transitioning to a halfway house can be less desirable than remaining in prison.

8. Matt Murphy's Book & Final Thoughts

(67:43–end)

• Murphy announces his forthcoming second book, focusing on serial killers and his years in the homicide unit.
  "Book number two is in the works. I've already started writing," he shares. (68:58)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the “defund” trend:

  “Right now, we have 8,600 sworn police officers at LAPD. That is the lowest number since 1995… It is frigging not right.” — Matt Murphy (09:09)

• California sexual abuse law:

  "13 doesn’t matter. It’s strict liability. If you touch a 13-year-old, you’re on the hook, even if you think she’s [older]." — Matt Murphy (13:26)

• Why remorse matters:

  "There’s a procedural place ... that’s at sentencing. Where you’re not admitting guilt. That’s the place. We’re not talking about that. We’re talking about people who go online and say it wasn’t my fault." — Matt Murphy (53:45)

• On the Pepperdine students case:

  “Most jurors are gonna take the position like, you’re in a beef with another driver—you can pull over and yell, you can flip the bird, you can call 911. There are a whole host of options before you get to driving 104 miles an hour." — Matt Murphy (41:38)

• Why the Menéndez brothers stay locked up:

  "They lied from the 911 operator, they lied to their family at the funeral. … The rules have never applied to them. And that's why they got in trouble." — Matt Murphy (65:03)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• D4VID Murder Case: 02:40–20:55
• Statutes of Limitations & Insurance Fraud: 20:45–27:38
• "Butt Lady" Malpractice Murders: 27:38–34:16
• Pepperdine Students Vehicular Manslaughter: 37:30–46:13
• Rebecca Grossman & Legal Strategy: 46:13–55:04
• Prison, Parole, & Menéndez Brothers: 58:17–67:43
• Matt Murphy’s New Book Announcement: 67:43–end

Conclusion & Follow-Up

This episode offers both hard-hitting legal analysis and juicy, headline-grabbing details, with Matt Murphy’s expertise anchoring lively, relatable conversation. Topics span the tragic to the absurd, reflecting Heather’s “lighter side of true crime” approach while staying rooted in real-world consequences and criminal justice realities.

• Matt Murphy on Instagram: @MattMurphyLaw
• His book: "The Book of Murder" — Available at Amazon, Disney Books, Barnes & Noble, and Pages, a Bookstore in Manhattan Beach.

End of Summary