Serialously with Annie Elise

Episode 323: 5 Disturbing Updates in Singer D4vd & Celeste Hernandez Case | Teen Girl’s Body Found Decomposed in Tesla

Release Date: September 29, 2025
Host: Annie Elise
Main Theme: Annie dives deep into the shocking and still-unfolding case involving viral alt-pop musician D4vd (David Anthony Burke), whose Tesla was found containing the decomposed and dismembered body of missing teen Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The episode explores the investigation’s timeline, David’s background, online sleuthing, swirling theories about the pair’s connection, and the disturbing aftermath.

Episode Overview

Annie Elise, known for her meticulous true crime reporting and conversational style, takes listeners step by step through what is arguably one of 2025’s most chilling and bizarre developing cases: the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez and the connection to rising music star D4vd (David Anthony Burke). Annie breaks down the case’s timeline, reviews concrete details, and examines the internet’s wildest theories—always reminding her audience to form their own opinions and recognize the speculation versus confirmed fact.

1. Discovery of Body in D4vd’s Tesla

[03:18 – 06:55]

• Timeline:

  • On September 8, 2025, a Tesla registered to D4vd (David Anthony Burke) is found abandoned on a Hollywood street and towed to an LA impound.
  • Tow yard workers notice a foul stench emanating from the front trunk (“frunk”).
  • Police are called and discover highly decomposed, dismembered human remains—later identified as a teenage girl.

• Reactions:

  • Case quickly escalates from routine towing to international scandal once the car’s registration is revealed.
  • "When there's a dead body in someone's car, that is some serious smoke." — Annie Elise [00:58]

2. Who is D4vd (David Anthony Burke)?

[06:56 – 12:51]

• Background:

  • Born March 28, 2005, Queens, NY; moved to Houston, TX at 13.
  • Start as a shy gamer, making Fortnite clips for YouTube—copyright issues led him to create his own music for content.
  • Songs like “Here With Me”; viral breakout hit “Romantic Homicide” landed him on Billboard’s Hot 100.

• Persona:

  • Extremely private, focused on his music, “from the Internet.”
  • “He really used music as his language, his love language, and used that as his ability to build a community and connect with people.” — Annie Elise [09:57]
  • Signed with major labels, collaborated on the Arcane Netflix show soundtrack.
  • Maintained a drama-free, non-scandalous reputation—until now.

3. Celeste Rivas Hernandez: The Victim

[12:52 – 16:52]

• Profile:

  • Born Sept 7, 2010. Lived in Lake Elsinore, CA. A good student, described as quiet, intelligent, happy.
  • First reported missing on Valentine’s Day 2024, found & returned home with details never released.
  • Went missing again in April 2024—this time, no return. Her mother reported she was “dating someone named David.”

• Identification:

  • Critical detail: unique “shh” tattoo on her index finger, used to help confirm her identity after remains were found.
  • Official ID and connection to David led to an “investigation that nobody could have predicted.” — Annie Elise [16:33]

4. The Investigation & Fallout

[16:53 – 24:40]

• Police Action:

  • Sept 17: LAPD serves a warrant at a Hollywood Hills house rented under D4vd’s manager’s name but where David had been staying.
  • 12-hour search: evidence bags, computers, possible luminol for blood.

• Public and Industry Fallout:

  • David “fully cooperating” per his spokesperson, but tour dates canceled, record label and brands (Crocs, Hollister) drop all association.
  • "When it's your car and there is a dismembered, decomposing body inside of it... people are going to have questions." — Annie Elise [23:28]
  • David abruptly moves out of the rented mansion days later.

5. Online Theories & Sleuthing

[24:41 – 37:36]

• Origins of Relationship:

  • Internet theorists believe the connection started in October 2022, when Celeste, then 12, was active in Discord gaming/music spaces.
  • Allegedly met David on Fortnite/Discord; screenshots reveal possibly flirty messages.

• Discord & Twitch Evidence:

  • Multiple streams (Jan-July 2023, Sept 2023, Feb 2024) show a female voice or shadow presumed to be Celeste in David’s room.
  • Clips allegedly deleted after claims surfaced (requests to "delete all VODs").
  • "Are we... Maz, can we delete all VODs? And then as soon as the stream ends, delete the stream, too." — David reading chat on stream [32:17]

• Social Media “Easter Eggs”:

  • Fan-captured images showing Celeste at David’s shows, wearing matching bracelets, tattoos, and allegedly being backstage.
  • Both Celeste and David have matching “shh” tattoos on their right index fingers, fueling speculation about a secret, personal relationship.

6. Music, Lyrics, and Artistic Chilling Parallels

[38:05 – 44:41]

• Lyrics Under New Scrutiny:

  • Songs like “Romantic Homicide”:
    • "In the back of my mind, I killed you, you and I didn’t even regret it. I can’t believe I said it, but it’s true. I hate you."
    • Once interpreted as metaphor, now seen as possibly confessional or foreshadowing after Celeste's body is found.
  • Music videos contain images eerily similar to details in the case (e.g., dragging a body, placing it in a trunk).

• Leaked Song “Celeste”:

  • Lyrics: "Oh, Celeste, the girl with my name tattooed on her chest. I hear her voice each time I take a breath. I'm obsessed."
  • Recorded in late 2024, went viral post-discovery.

• Live Shows:

  • David allegedly incorporated caskets and funeral directors, heightening the case’s macabre undertones.

7. Social Media Deletions and Possible Cover-up

[44:42 – 52:30]

• Deleting the Evidence?:

  • Celeste’s Instagram stories and highlights disappear after her death; family claims “archived for police.”
  • Screenshots show matching jewelry, tattoos, possible promise/engagement ring.
  • Simultaneously, David’s old posts, images, and even “bloody” merch are wiped.

• Reddit Censorship:

  • David owns his own subreddit, is sole moderator—allegedly deleting any posts speculating about his involvement.

8. Internet Theories Get Darker

[52:31 – 57:45]

• Pregnancy Theory:

  • Rumors (unconfirmed) swirl that Celeste may have been pregnant, sparking possible motive for murder/cover-up.
  • Claims of “infant remains” found at another site; Annie debunks a direct link for many of these videos.

• “Second Celeste” Theory:

  • 23-year-old woman named Celeste Hernandez with similar looks appears on David’s social pages ("Different Celeste" in bio).
  • Fans allege David uses her to manufacture plausible deniability about his involvement with 14-year-old Celeste.

9. Remembering Celeste & The State of the Case

[58:00 – End]

• Focus on the Victim:

  • Community holds vigil in Lake Elsinore—candles, flowers, memories.
  • "If she was my daughter, I wouldn’t want her forgotten." — Unnamed neighbor [approx. 61:00]

• Ongoing Mystery:

  • Celeste’s official cause of death: “deferred.”
  • No suspects named, no arrests at episode’s release date.
  • Theories swirl, but Annie emphasizes what’s confirmed, what’s possible, and what’s wild speculation.

• Closing Thoughts:

  • Annie summarizes all explored angles: timelines, digital trails, music, relationship theories, the deletion of evidence.
  • Stresses that Celeste’s family deserves answers, and the case is far from closed.
  • “At the end of the day, we’re left with a lot of questions...and perhaps the most haunting question of all: will we ever find out the truth?” — Annie Elise [62:38]

Memorable Quotes

• "When there's a dead body in someone's car, that is some serious smoke." — Annie Elise [00:58]
• "He really used music as his language, his love language, and used that as his ability to build a community and connect with people." — Annie Elise [09:57]
• "When it's your car and there is a dismembered, decomposing body inside of it... people are going to have questions." — Annie Elise [23:28]
• "In the back of my mind, I killed you, you and I didn’t even regret it. I can’t believe I said it, but it’s true. I hate you." — D4vd, lyrics to "Romantic Homicide," discussed at [39:00]
• “If she was my daughter, I wouldn’t want her forgotten.” — Neighbor at vigil [approx. 61:00]
• "At the end of the day, we're left with a lot of questions...and perhaps the most haunting question of all: will we ever find out the truth?" — Annie Elise [62:38]

Key Timestamps

• 00:58 – Annie reveals the body found in David’s Tesla
• 06:56 – Annie runs down D4vd’s background
• 12:52 – Story of Celeste’s disappearances
• 16:53 – Investigation and search of David’s house
• 19:56 – Fallout: tour and business collapses
• 24:41 – Online theories: Discord & Twitch connections
• 31:57 – Annie discusses clips and deleted Twitch VODs
• 38:05 – Analysis of song lyrics, music video symbolism
• 44:42 – Social media deletions, family explanation, Reddit
• 52:31 – The pregnancy and “Second Celeste” theories
• 58:00 – Lake Elsinore vigil for Celeste
• 62:38 – Annie’s summary and unresolved questions

Summary Takeaways

• The case remains unsolved, with police tight-lipped and no official suspects.
• Annie thoroughly documents the chilling digital trail, music and lyric clues, and internet-fueled speculation, repeatedly separating what is verified from what’s hypothesized.
• Celeste’s identity and humanity remain a focus; Annie refuses to let sensationalism overshadow the victim.
• The podcast comprehensively outlines how parasocial relationships and internet culture fuel both investigation and conspiracy.
• “Be nice, don't kill people. Don't join any cults... Actually, keep away from Discord. I swear, nothing good happens there.” — Annie Elise [63:42]

For updates, Annie promises to revisit the story as soon as concrete developments break. The episode stands as both a detailed case file and a warning about the dangers of internet fame, secrecy, and speculation.