Serialously with Annie Elise — Episode 350: D4vd's Burn Cage Found, Nick Reiner's Bloody Hotel Room & Woman Found in Dollar Tree Freezer (Dec 25, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this Christmas Day edition of Serialously, Annie Elise dives into breaking updates and newly emerging details across several disturbing true crime cases. The episode brings listeners up to speed on the D4vd/Celeste case, gives a jaw-dropping update on the Rebecca Park murder, covers the heartbreaking freezer death of Dr. Helen Sanchez, discusses a gruesome Florida murder involving a teen and a retired nurse, and delves deep into the high-profile double homicide of Rob and Michelle Reiner, allegedly at the hands of their son Nick Reiner. Throughout, Annie’s signature conversational and unflinching approach guides listeners through the chaos, red flags, and unanswered questions that haunt each case.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Update: D4vd (David) Case & the Mysterious Incinerator

[02:00–10:00]

• Background: Annie revisits the case where D4vd, a well-known singer, is implicated after the body of 14-year-old Celeste was found in the trunk of his car.
• The Update: A private investigator, Steve Fisher, discovered a boxed, unused industrial-grade burn cage (incinerator) in the Hollywood Hills property D4vd was renting.
  • The incinerator can burn at 1600 degrees—possibly hotter than legally allowed and certainly hotter than most legal devices in LA County.
  • The incinerator’s purchase and storage in the home raises red flags. "Why would a 55-pound burn cage be delivered to a private residence instead of going directly to a prop house or a production company or a warehouse...?" (Annie Elise, [04:10])
• Speculation: Debate rages: Was it a prop or intended for evidence destruction? The investigative community is abuzz, with Annie summarizing the public’s skepticism and frustration over a lack of arrests.
  • She notes that the information originates from a private investigator, not law enforcement, urging listeners to stay critical and informed.
• Quote: “If this incinerator was not a prop, was it purchased to dispose of her body? And when they didn't go that route, that's why she was then stuffed in the trunk?” (Annie Elise, [07:30])

2. Rebecca Park Case: Complex Web of Lies and Betrayal

[10:10–14:15]

• Case Recap: Rebecca Park was murdered, her body dumped, and her unborn child cut out. Multiple family members have been arrested or implicated.
• Major Update: New court documents reveal that Rebecca's sister, Kimberly, allegedly had an affair with Rebecca's fiancé, Richard, and protected him by lying to police.
• Layers of Deceit:
  • Kimberly claims Richard confessed to the murder and the failed attempt to remove the baby.
  • Initially, Kimberly lied to police, accusing her own mother and stepfather of murder—supposedly at Richard’s request.
  • Both Kimberly and her mother, Courtney, had affairs with Richard. Annie remarks: “That's like betrayal on a whole nother level. But as we also know, it gets a little bit deeper. There's the trifecta of betrayal.” ([12:45])
• Lingering Questions: Will charges shift? Who is truly culpable? Annie reinforces that all parties are innocent until proven guilty and new info will keep coming.

3. Dollar Tree Freezer Death: Dr. Helen Sanchez

[15:26–22:26]

• Incident: Noted anesthesiologist and mother of two, Dr. Helen Sanchez, was found dead and unclothed in a Miami Dollar Tree walk-in freezer.
• Facts:
  • She entered the Dollar Tree just before closing, walked into a staff-only area, and became trapped in the freezer.
  • No evidence of foul play on surveillance; death classified as “unclassified,” pending autopsy and tox report.
  • Family and friends, devastated, are seeking to bring her home to Nicaragua.
• Hypothesis: Paradoxical undressing from hypothermia may explain her unclothed state.
• Discussion: Annie and Amy puzzle over why Helen would enter the freezer; speculate about malfunctioning safety mechanisms, mental health factors, or medical emergencies.
• Quote: “There’s still a lot of questions. A woman with this career that she loved, beloved by everyone… Her return flight was even booked. And a trip that was supposed to be about family ending in a place that nobody can really quite explain.” (Amy Collette, [21:38])

4. Florida: Retired Nurse John Torino Murdered by Young Man He Tried to Help

[25:34–33:20]

• Tragedy Unfolds: 67-year-old nurse John Torino let 19-year-old Julian Trevino stay with him, trying to offer help. Trouble arose when Julian refused to leave after failing to pay rent.
• Murder Details:
  • After being told to leave, Julian broke in, waited for John to sleep, then stabbed and bludgeoned him to death; the scene described as “barbaric and disgusting.”
  • Julian stole John’s car and used his credit cards at places connected to himself (including at his workplace).
  • He confessed when apprehended: “He said he didn’t want to be away from his girlfriend. That was his reasoning, which, I’m sorry, but, like, what?” (Annie Elise, [30:51])
• Community Impact: John remembered as a generous, trusted neighbor. Annie emphasizes the pain of seeing kindness brutally betrayed.

5. Houston, TX: Crystal Rose Angel Ramirez Murder & “Barrel” Disposal

[33:43–40:48]

• Case Outline: 41-year-old Crystal Rose Angel Ramirez was shot by her boyfriend, Jesus Varela, while asleep. Her body was wrapped in bags, stuffed in a barrel, and dumped, with the help of Jesus’s terrified nephew who was threatened with death if he refused to assist.
• Investigation: Unraveled quickly after the nephew’s friend went to police and the nephew confessed.
• Family Reaction: Crystal’s aunt warns, “Don’t die in a barrel,” urging others to get help in domestic violence cases ([35:45]).
• Arrests: Jesus faces multiple charges and is held without bond; nephew is cooperating.
• Memorable Quote: “Her family said...she didn’t deserve to be treated like trash, and nobody deserves to be treated like that.” (Annie Elise, [36:40])

6. California: The Nick Reiner Double Murder Case

[40:48–63:20]

Case Summary

• Victims: Legendary filmmaker Rob Reiner and photographer Michelle Reiner, found stabbed to death in their Brentwood mansion.
• Alleged Perpetrator: Their son, Nick Reiner, 32, now charged with double homicide.
• Timeline Highlights:
  • Nick was seen walking calmly near their home hours before the murders ([42:00]).
  • That night, he and Rob had a loud fight at Conan O’Brien’s Christmas party. Nick’s behavior at the party was erratic and confrontational.
  • After the murders, he checked into the Pierside Santa Monica Hotel, where staff later found “a shower full of blood, blood on the bed, and windows covered with bedsheets” ([49:30]).
• Family Dynamics: Annie recounts a former friend’s account of Nick’s lifelong instability, addiction, and violent outbursts.
  • “They (Rob and Michelle) viewed him as someone who was just deeply unwell and needed constant support, which I have to say, that is really complicated when you start breaking it down.” (Annie Elise, [47:30])

Legal Update

• Defense: Nick is represented by star attorney Alan Jackson, who warns the public:

  "There are very, very complex and serious issues that are associated with this case. Those need to be thoroughly but very carefully dealt with...not with a rush to judgment..." (Alan Jackson, [53:30])

• Possible Insanity Defense: Annie speculates recent changes in Nick’s schizophrenia medication (three weeks before the killings) may factor into legal strategy.
• Family Statement: Siblings Romy and Jake request “compassion and humanity” in the press, leaving open the possibility that they support Nick due to his mental illness ([55:45]).
• Open Questions: Did mental illness and addiction trump warning signs? Did the family’s well-meaning support help or enable? What about the substantial family trust?
• Annie’s Reflection:

  “Two people are still dead and brutally killed at that. Multiple sharp force injuries. Rob and Michelle weren't just this famous couple... They were parents... deeply loved human beings.” (Annie Elise, [55:10])

Audio Highlight

• Clip of Nick Reiner:

  "I was a real, like, nutcase. I was crazy. And I just... It was more than drugs. It's really always about more than that. And I needed a lot of that sort of discipline." (Nick Reiner, [51:33–52:05])

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Annie, on the D4vd case: “I am like so sick of this guy because...the writing is clearly on the wall...With this update that I'm about to give you, they can arrest him for something...at least scare him a little bit into sharing more information.” ([02:30])
• Amy on the Rebecca Park Case: “What kind of stronghold does this Richard guy have?...Nothing would make people group together like that for the inheritance.”
• Annie, on the holiday timing: "All of these cases are awful because it happened right at the holidays...That will forever be etched in your mind as a memory." ([62:51])
• Annie’s closing advice: “Be nice. Don’t kill people. I don’t even know where it begins.” ([63:35])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:00] — D4vd Update: Burn cage/Incinerator discovery
• [10:10] — Rebecca Park case—new documents and twists
• [15:26] — Dollar Tree freezer death of Dr. Helen Sanchez
• [25:34] — Florida: Retired nurse John Torino murdered
• [33:43] — Texas: Crystal Rose Angel Ramirez barrel killing
• [40:48] — California: Nick Reiner double homicide—timeline, details, and legal turns
• [51:33] — Nick Reiner voice clip—on addiction and discipline
• [53:30] — Defense Attorney Alan Jackson statement
• [62:51] — Discussion of family trauma and holiday pain

Tone & Language

• Conversational, detailed, and empathetic, with plenty of “this is wild,” “what is wrong with people?” moments
• Annie and Amy foster a “true crime bestie” vibe, openly expressing shock, compassion, and frustration
• Explicit, direct about the brutality of the cases; some use of strong language and humor to process grim content

Summary Takeaway

This Serialously episode is a rapid-fire, in-depth tour through disturbing and still-unfolding crime stories, each marked by betrayal, tragedy, and often unexplainable cruelty. Annie Elise brings equal parts meticulousness and humanity, repeatedly urging listeners to research, question, and most importantly, to honor the victims by telling their full stories—not just the headlines. Whether discussing celebrity-driven cases or those without any fame, Annie underscores the intersection of crime, psychology, and family in America today.

For ongoing updates, Annie promises to follow each of these stories closely and bring new developments to the Serialously audience as they happen.