Rotten Mango Podcast Summary

Episode: I Went Through All Of D4vd's Online History & Here's Why People Think He Killed 14-Year-Old Celeste

Host: Stephanie Soo
Date: September 28, 2025

Episode Overview

Stephanie Soo and her co-host conduct an exhaustive, nuanced deep dive into the case of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old girl found dead in the trunk of singer-songwriter D4vd's (David) Tesla. The episode dissects the tangled web of online rumors, digital footprints, relationships, and various theories surrounding Celeste's death. The hosts focus intently on separating verifiable facts from speculation, vigilantly noting the dangers of relying on unverified, potentially AI-generated "evidence." It's a critical, empathetic exploration that emphasizes presumption of innocence, the failures of institutions and individuals, and the overwhelming impact of parasocial dynamics in the digital age.

Key Discussion Points & Timeline

1. The Case: Facts & Assumptions

• Occam's Razor: Stephanie notes (00:55) the complexities and the misapplication of this principle in the case:

  "How are you supposed to shave away at all the different assumptions when the entire case is just a giant ball of assumptions at this point?" — Stephanie

• What is Confirmed:
  • Body found in David's Tesla in LA, September 8, 2025.
  • Celeste identified as the deceased on September 17.
  • LAPD investigating as a "death investigation," but not formally a homicide.
  • David out on tour during discovery; Tesla impounded after sitting for weeks; David not arrested and not officially named a suspect as of air date.
• What's Assumed:
  • Relationship between David and Celeste: Supported by circumstantial evidence, unverified screenshots, and witness accounts—not confirmed by police.
  • Rumors about a "Decoy Celeste" (an adult with a similar appearance and name, possibly used to deflect suspicion of illegal conduct).

Notable Quote (on the uncertainty):

"We will operate as basically everything is an assumption, aside from the handful of things that we absolutely know to be true..." — Stephanie (02:20)

2. Celeste's Life & Circumstances

• Known facts: Celeste was 14 when she died. Multiple instances of running away from home; background of family hardship, limited parental oversight; little verifiable digital presence.
• Witness Testimony: An unnamed neighbor told The Sun Tabloid Celeste was living with David in the Hollywood Hills, was quiet, and often wore face-covering clothing (14:00).
• Family & Social Dynamics: Extensive discussion of systemic failures—language barriers, societal neglect of minority families, and the perils of blaming victims’ families.
• Digital Footprint: "There’s practically nothing on this girl... it's like she only existed in David's world." (16:10)
• Rumors of Family Involvement: Unproven allegations on Reddit that Celeste's family was complicit in her exploitation (27:30), which Stephanie highlights as plausible but not substantiated.

3. The Complicated Web: Digital Evidence & Key Sightings

Screenshots, videos, and timelines presented are often debated, unconfirmed, or debunked.

• Discord Screenshots: Allegedly show David with a hidden girl in 2023 ("who's the girl?" "you're a fed").
• Photos & Videos:
  • Most images online are ambiguous, often heavily edited or unverifiable.
  • Two key photos widely believed to show David with Celeste but are still contested (19:43).
• Hello Kitty Motif:
  • Both Celeste and David show affinity for Hello Kitty, often cited as a linking detail.
• Celeste Covering her Face:
  • Netizen theory: When a girl in David’s images covers her face, it’s more likely to be the minor Celeste (23:07).
• A Confirmed Sighting:
  • Video posted by a family friend in July 2024 (pre–body identification), showing Celeste at a gathering, looking visibly uncomfortable. Comments emphasize her youthfulness and the unlikelihood of successfully posing as a college student (24:20).
• TikTok & Social Media Analysis:
  • Deep analysis of David’s posts, noting thematic patterns of intense emotion, jealousy, possessiveness, and references to secretive relationships and young love.

4. D4vd's Online Persona & Music as Potential Clues

Social Media Behavioral Patterns:

• Highly active on Discord, TikTok, Instagram, with an enormous digital footprint.
• Tendency to document everything in obsessive detail, making it difficult to discern authenticity or intent.
• Posts and reposts reflect obsessive love, jealousy, depression, and paranoia (113:11–123:23).

Notable Lyrics & Social Media Posts (with analysis/timestamps)

• Music as Timeline/Confession?: David frequently describes his album "Withered" as an autobiographical, "raw" reflection on the past two years (63:31).
• Obsessive, Jealous Reposts:
  • “I want to settle down when I get older / I’m looking over shoulders…” — "Friend Again" (67:12)
  • TikToks about controlling relationships, hurt, paranoia, possessiveness, escalating to violent, threatening, or guilt-ridden posts (120:58–124:49).
• Multiple Allusions to ‘Invisible String’
  • Alleged voice clips in interludes believed by some listeners to be Celeste’s, pitch-shifted and placed into songs (73:10–77:13).
  • Lyrics and interviews often read as coded references to forbidden relationships; e.g.:

    “Love was never this dangerous. Oh, we could be imaginary but you’re real to me.” — "Atomic Land" “There goes my baby, out of my reach, finally free...” — "There Goes My Baby" “Something’s missing from inside of me. Someone stole what wasn’t mine... when I die I'll love you from the afterlife.” — "Afterlife"

• PR Silence: David makes no public statement after Celeste's identification, switches from spokesperson to attorney-only communication.

On Artistic Intent versus Reality:

• Stephanie questions whether David’s "edgelord" persona is genuine reflection or carefully curated for his brand.
• Co-host: "You really could view it before everything as, ‘Okay, this artist is being so edgy, right?’" (122:52)

5. Major Theories (and their problems)

Stephanie divides public speculation into five main theories (08:08):

1. "Hollywood Satanic Ritual" / Sacrifice for Fame

• Wild, tabloid-fueled; connects David’s music success and symbolism to industry conspiracy theories (95:29–100:08).
• Host: "Seems the least plausible... it just seems kind of crazy." (100:32)

2. David is Innocent

• Variants:
  • He was dating an adult "Celeste," not the minor
  • Minor lied about her age
  • He was framed, or exploited by others in his circle
• Host skepticism: Major holes, especially in his lack of even a bland public PR statement (106:24–107:21).

3. He’s Involved, But Accidental Death

• Theories: Celeste overdosed, was accidentally run over, or died in an unintended circumstance that David then tried to cover up.
• Host: "Still murder...even accidental death in the context of rape or sexual exploitation is a crime." (110:54)

4. Premeditated Murder

• Possessive, jealous, angry—crime of passion
• Murder to silence (Celeste threatens to expose him / discovers she’s being groomed)
• Pregnancy/motive to conceal relationship (AI-generated rumors of a second, infant victim debunked)
• David’s pattern of obsessive, controlling behavior and his lyrics/posts support this theory for many (113:11–130:51).

5. More Complicated (Multiple Parties or Unknowns)

• Involvement of older Celeste, members of David’s circle, or even Celeste’s family
• Focus on the dense fog of unverified evidence, mass speculation, and how quickly online hate spreads to unsubstantiated parties (130:47–138:05).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On assumptions vs. facts:

  "Once you shave off all of that, there's like nothing left in the middle. There's...nothing left in the middle... aside from the handful of things that we absolutely know to be true." — Stephanie (02:10)

• On digital investigation fatigue:

  "My brain was turning into a jello cake with ham slices inside. It was not a good time." — Stephanie (113:11)

• On romanticizing predator behavior:

  "A lot of people are romanticizing this a little too much by saying he was obsessed with her...I think the truth of the matter is even more depressing than most people realize. He liked children and that child was starting to grow and have her own thoughts. Predators who like children don't like that at all." — Listener comment (134:20)

• On the dangerous parasocial:

  "The parasocial in some of these people is really showing." — Stephanie quoting (107:07)

Important Timestamps

• 00:55–03:00: Introduction & Occam's Razor applied to the case
• 05:37–08:40: LAPD statements, identification of Celeste, David’s response (or lack thereof)
• 14:01–19:43: Neighbor testimony, images, and digital footprint confusion
• 24:20–31:47: Family gathering video, family dynamics, and public/family blame
• 39:10–49:59: Timeline construction via social media posts and music lyrics
• 63:31–67:12: David describes "Withered" album as autobiographical
• 73:10–77:13: “Invisible String” interlude, music, and alleged voice recordings
• 95:29–100:08: Conspiracy/Hollywood “sacrifice” theory breakdown
• 110:54–113:11: Accidental death theories and host skepticism
• 120:58–124:49: Weaponized jealousy in reposts/TikTok analysis
• 134:20: Listener comment on the dangers of romanticizing and simplifying this case

Final Thoughts and Themes

• The case is a case study in modern, internet-fueled true crime: an ever-shifting mix of genuine concern, collective amateur detective work, AI-generated forgeries, and viral rumors.
• The hosts repeatedly stress the need for empathy, presumption of innocence for all involved until proven, and caution against online harassment of anyone tangentially related.
• A recurring theme is failure—familial, institutional, and societal—contributing to an environment where tragedy flourishes and blame is diffuse.
• Stephanie closes with an acknowledgment that, by next month, the facts and theories could look totally different, underlining the relentless uncertainty and complexity of true crime in the TikTok/Discord era.

For centralized information and show notes, visit rottenmangopodcast.com.

Disclaimer

This summary omits advertisements and sponsor mentions. All quoted or closely paraphrased material maintains the tone and language of the hosts or cited speakers.

This summary covers all crucial themes, discussions, theories, and notable moments up to [138:22].