MK True Crime

Episode: Autopsy Secrets in D4vd Case, Shock Details About Teen Strangled on Cruise, and "Slender Man" Stabber Escapes
Date: November 26, 2025
Host: Mark Eiglarsch
Panelists: Ashley Merchant, Arthur Idella
Special Clips/Contributors: Mark Geragos

Episode Overview

This episode dives into three headline-grabbing cases:

• The mysterious death of a teen found in singer D4vd’s (David Anthony Burke) Tesla, with new scrutiny on autopsy secrecy and ongoing speculation.
• The detailed circumstances behind the tragic death of Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old strangled on a Carnival cruise, and a stepbrother at the center of suspicion.
• The escape of Morgan Geyser, infamous “Slender Man” stabbing assailant, from her group home and the complexities of monitoring released violent offenders with severe mental illness.

Throughout, the panel provides insider legal analysis, discusses media rumor-mongering, raises questions about justice, and candidly explores both prosecutor and defense strategies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

I. D4vd Case: Autopsy Secrets and Media Speculation

[03:00 - 16:07]

The Rumors & Facts So Far

• Mark Eiglarsch breaks down: 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez found dead in singer D4vd’s Tesla. Extensive rumors about condition and cause of death, including decapitation and freezing, swirl online ([03:00]).
• Ashley Merchant: “Nobody has a clue what happened to this poor girl. ...I think they're trying to keep it that way because the coroner... was asked by LAPD to keep the results a secret.” ([04:10])
• LAPD sought and obtained a “secret warrant” preventing release of autopsy findings, fueling public confusion.

Legal Perspectives on Misinformation

• Arthur Idella: “...We were born at night, last night. That's why he's a big suspect, because she's allegedly frozen. ...But they don't know what's going on.” ([05:22])
• Both defense attorneys point out that wild media rumor is outpacing actual facts, can distort public judgment and harm reputations.

On Confidential Investigations

• Mark Eiglarsch: “Isn't there a value to them keeping things close to the vest?”
  Arthur: “The less facts that are out there... the more pure maybe the investigation will be.”
  Ashley: “Convictions built on confessions... they're fallible. I want physical evidence that is not subject to human error.” ([08:51-10:47])

Harm to the Accused

• Ashley Merchant: Raises the issue of reputation harm and industry fallout: “Let's just imagine for a minute that David didn't do it... these little leaks and speculation... that's caused him a great deal of harm.” ([10:47])

Electronic Evidence

• Ashley explains the likely significance of surveillance video, phone, and Tesla data in determining timeline, access, and cause ([07:29]).

Second Suspect & Legal Implications

• A clip from Mark Geragos and analyst speculation point to a potential second suspect, possibly involved in dismemberment ([13:26-14:32]).

Notable Quote:

• “...The LAPD actually filed something with the court... to get this autopsy to be private... and when they did that, they actually tipped their hat... they were concerned about witnesses and cooperating witnesses.” — Ashley Merchant ([14:37])

II. Carnival Cruise Strangulation: The Death of Anna Kepner

[18:21 - 31:19]

Timeline & Evidence

• Mark recaps: Anna Kepner, 18, was found dead on Carnival Horizon (Nov 8). Cause: asphyxiation by “bar hold” ([18:21]).
• Body was hidden under a bed, wrapped and covered—a clear sign of concealment.

Suspicion on Stepbrother

• “All fingers are pointing in his direction... his actions towards her,” says Arthur, describing witness statements about infatuation and conflict ([19:19]).
• Ashley highlights cruise security systems: “...they monitor everything. They are super observant... They're going to be able to use that investigation and narrow down who... had the opportunity...” ([21:44])

Testimony from Anna's Boyfriend

• Clip: Anna’s boyfriend alleges seeing the stepbrother climb on top of Anna via FaceTime before the cruise ([21:13]).
• Ashley: Family placed stepbrother in treatment immediately—possibly telegraphing a mental health defense.

Legal Strategies

• Arthur: “Number one, review all those tapes and keycards. ...You could really attack just watching that little statement [from the boyfriend]” ([23:21])
• Mark: Emphasizes the gap between sibling quarrels and proving murder, especially when a minor is the only suspect.

Family and Grandparent Insight

• Grandmother’s comment: “Whatever happened in that room, the only person responsible is the person that was in the room with Anna.” ([25:48])
• Ashley: “If he's got some violent tendencies... Was it a fit of rage? Does he not remember because he was taking something?” ([27:09])

Would a 16-Year-Old Be Tried as Adult?

• “Typically you're tried as an adult [for homicide],” says Arthur, but mitigation and family wishes may play a role. ([28:11])

Cooperation with Police

• Mark: “Do you let your client cooperate if they’re a suspect?”
  Ashley & Arthur: Both adamant—never speak to police without knowing their evidence, and never let a client speak unprotected.
  Ashley: “The truth will never set you free with the police in a pretrial investigation.” ([29:57])

III. Holly Bobo Murder: Revisiting Conviction and Calls for Retrial

[34:15 - 48:29]

Conviction Under Question

• Zach Adams, convicted of the 2011 Holly Bobo murder (life plus 50 years), argues ineffective counsel and weak evidence. No physical evidence, no DNA, no strong corroborating witnesses.
• Arthur: “Ineffective assistance is a very, very uphill bill... But here was the curveball... the actual trial lawyer, she has testified... saying I wasn't up for the task. I was depressed... overwhelmed by the discovery.” ([36:24-38:21])

Panel’s Take on Defense

• Ashley: “Without a good, competent defense lawyer, we can have no faith in the outcome... If you've got a defense lawyer, that's saying... I was... data dumped... my mental health was suffering... That's something that we really need to think about.” ([38:27])
• Weak physical evidence and possible witness coercion are major concerns; state's key witness against Adams now recants, saying story was built to fit police narrative.

Controversial Defendant Statement

• Panel plays a damning defendant quote:
  • “Let's rape this...” — Adams said, allegedly to steer a friend from robbing a house.
  • Ashley: “Oh, it makes no sense... That's the worst fact. ...But I can't ignore... it's by far the most damaging evidence.” ([47:06])
  • Arthur: “There are facts that we're stuck with... and that's usually when we convince our clients to take the plea...” ([47:35])

Notable Quotes

• “No, ma'am...” — Multiple denials from Adams on the stand, met with skepticism from panel, showing that denial isn’t nearly enough to overturn a conviction ([41:01-41:26]).

IV. Slender Man Stabber: Morgan Geyser’s Escape and Institutional Failures

[50:13 - 56:16]

Recap of Infamous Case & Mental Health Issues

• Morgan Geyser, who stabbed a classmate at age 12, was released from a psychiatric facility but soon cuts off her GPS monitor and escapes group home.
• Ashley: “Because she was adjudicated mentally ill, they're able to essentially keep control over her for the majority of her life... The fact that she eloped... it's sad.” ([50:13])

Attorney’s Dilemma & Public Safety

• Clip: Geyser’s lawyer urges her return publicly.
  • Arthur: “I wouldn't do that... I don't think that's a criminal defense attorney's role to say that.” ([52:44])

Society’s Responsibility

• Ashley: “She's vulnerable. ...The only thing she did was something she did at 12, when she was in a psychotic state... If she's properly treated... she has a chance at actually joining society again.” ([54:20])

When the System Fails

• Geyser found with a 42-year-old man at a truck stop; panel raises concerns about exploitation of mentally ill ex-offenders.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Let's just imagine for a minute that David didn't do it... these little tiny leaks and speculation... that's caused him a great deal of harm.” — Ashley Merchant ([10:47])

• “That's why he's a big suspect, because she's allegedly frozen... But they don't know what's going on.” — Arthur Idella ([05:22])

• “Convictions built on confessions... they're fallible. I want... physical evidence that is not subject to human error.” — Ashley Merchant ([10:47])

• “He was the only one seen coming and going. So I can't accuse him because I don't know what happened... but the summation would be that he did something.” — Anna Kepner’s grandmother ([25:24])

• “The truth will never set you free with the police in a pretrial investigation.” — Ashley Merchant ([29:57])

• "There are facts that we're stuck with... and that's usually when we convince our clients to take the plea..." — Arthur Idella ([48:06])

• “That's the worst fact. ...But I can't ignore... it's by far the most damaging evidence.” — Ashley on Adams' rape comment ([47:06])

Important Segment Timestamps

• D4vd (David Burke) Case: [03:00 - 16:07]
• Carnival Cruise Strangulation: [18:21 - 31:19]
• Holly Bobo Retrial Discussion: [34:15 - 48:29]
• Morgan Geyser (“Slender Man” Escape): [50:13 - 57:17]
• Attorney/Client Guilt Dynamics (“Mailbag”): [59:50 - 63:35]
• Closing Arguments: [63:43 - 70:55]

Closing Arguments & Mailbag Highlights

• Attorney/Client Dynamic: Clients often deny guilt even when evidence is overwhelming; defense attorneys must balance candor with advocacy.

  • “I always tell clients, I'm only as good as the information you give me. ...Sometimes you gotta put the evidence right in front of them.” — Ashley & Arthur ([60:44],[61:24])

• On Man Min Laws: Mark rails against "mandatory minimums": “They're a conveyor belt... not a justice system.”

  • “[They] don't make us safer. They strip judges of discretion. ...Mandatory minimums, they don't make us safer. They strip judges of discretion. They explode prison populations and mechanically ruin lives.” ([67:49])

Tone & Takeaways

Insightful, candid, sometimes irreverent—panelists combine legal expertise with colorful technical banter and skepticism about both law enforcement and media missteps. There’s a persistent call for evidence-based justice, wariness of rumor, and empathy for both the accused and the system’s unintentional casualties.

For listeners seeking true-crime details, legal insider knowledge, or a reality check on rumor versus proof, this episode is a must-listen.