The Chaser - 07/25 D4vd Update

Hello everyone, welcome to a special edition of So Cal Slaughters "The Chaser". 
We're bringing updates on D4vd case. This is the most recent update as of July 25, 2026. Don't forget to follow here and subscribe on YouTube so you can stay up to date!

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Transcript

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Hey guys, dropping in today with a quick case update for you because there have been some major developments in the case involving singer David and the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. We have not done a full episode on this case yet. We will, but here's like a quick 30-second update on what got us here. According to prosecutors, which I'm gonna say a lot, David Anthony Burke began a relationship with Celeste when she was just 13 years old. They believe that relationship continued until April of 2025, when they say Celeste was murdered. Nearly five months later, investigators made a horrifying discovery when her remains were found hidden inside David's abandoned Tesla. He was arrested in April of this year and has pleaded not guilty to every charge. So now, for the first time, we're starting to hear what investigators have been keeping under wraps for more than a year. The case has officially reached what's called a preliminary hearing. No scary legal names today. This isn't the actual trial yet. It's basically like a preview. So prosecutors are laying out the evidence that they've gathered, and the judge has just one job, and that's to decide whether there's enough evidence for the case to move forward to a full jury trial. And after just the first few days, we're learning a lot. One of the first witnesses to take the stand earlier this week was the lead detective on the case. As he walked us through the investigation, the courtroom was shown graphic crime scene photographs, autopsy photographs, and images from inside David's Tesla. When investigators first opened the vehicle, they described an overwhelming odor of human decomposition. Inside, they also found flies, maggots, and at least 11 separate air fresheners scattered throughout the car. Back seat, front seat, and then inside the front trunk or the frunk, which is where Celeste's remains were eventually discovered. Investigators testified that the condition of her remains, along with the insect activity, suggested that they had been inside the Tesla for a significant period of time. So shout out forensic entomology on that one. Reporters inside the courtroom said that the images were so disturbing that members of Celeste's family became visibly emotional, with her mother breaking down in tears as the photographs were displayed, which I can only imagine. From there, prosecutors introduced something that immediately stood out: a list of purchases allegedly made shortly after Celeste disappeared. According to prosecutors, accounts connected to David were used to buy body bags, multiple chainsaws, a shovel, heavy-duty trash bags, cleaning supplies, an inflatable kitty pool, and what investigators described as a portable burn box. While none of those items are illegal to purchase, prosecutors argue that they become significant when viewed altogether. They believe that the purchases were not random, but instead part of a coordinated effort tied to what they say happened after Celeste's death. That theory was further supported, according to investigators, by physical evidence recovered from the garage. They believe that is where Celeste was stabbed, where her body was dismembered, and where an attempt was made to clean up the scene afterward. One key item was a green tarp that allegedly tested positive for blood and may have been used during the cleanup. Then there was the inflatable kitty pool. Prosecutors say this was not purchased for swimming, but instead to help contain blood during the dismemberment. Investigators testified the pool had multiple cuts through the plastic, and blue fragments consistent with the material that the pool is made of were later found in and around the cuts in Celeste's remains. Chainsaws also became another major focus. Two chainsaws were recovered during the investigation from the house and they tested negative for blood. But prosecutors told the court that three chainsaws were purchased after Celeste disappeared, one being a 10-inch Makita chainsaw, and that has never been recovered. So they believe that missing tool may have been used during the crime. Investigators testified that when they used the chemical called Blue Star to detect possible cleaned blood, large areas of these black rubber gym flooring mats reacted. They also pointed to long cuts in those same mats that they say are consistent with a sharp object being used across the surface. DNA recovered from blood on those mats reportedly matched Celeste. Investigators also said blood matching her was found on a rowing machine, a Tesla charging cable, inside of actual garbage bags, and then elsewhere in the home. Underneath the mats, the brick flooring also reportedly reacted, suggesting that blood may have soaked through the mats, even despite cleanup efforts. From there, the hearing shifted from how prosecutors believe the crime happened to why the crime may have happened. David's financial manager took the stand and testified about his income, his contracts, and who in his circle knew about Celeste. While not directly tied to the crime, prosecutors argue this helps establish motive, like specifically what David stood to lose. They emphasized that David's career had rapidly escalated with millions in earnings, major record deals, touring opportunities, and endorsements. I had never heard of this person before this case, so I cannot say anything on that. Their argument is that exposure of the alleged relationship could have destroyed everything. Another part of the hearing added yet another major layer to the prosecution's case, this time focusing on digital evidence recovered from David's phone and his iCloud account. According to investigators, those records include text messages, photographs, and data dating back to 2022 when Celeste was 11 years old, essentially documenting the development of the relationship over several years. They also testified that some messages suggest Celeste became pregnant at 13 and later underwent an abortion. Other conversations allegedly show the two discussing a future together, including plans to eventually live together. They called Operation Awesome, which is basically a plan to kidnap a child if you break it down. Prosecutors say the relationship later became strained and that the two broke up but continued communicating. Investigators believe they argued the night before Celeste disappeared about the nature of the relationship and David's alleged motive to keep it hidden. Additional evidence presented in court included phone records, travel records, and financial documents, among other digital data recovered from David's devices. According to the state, Celeste was texting David as she made her way to his Hollywood Hills residence on April 23rd, 2025. The messages appeared completely normal, nothing out of the ordinary. But prosecutors say the messages stopped after she arrived, which she's there, so why would you have to text her anymore? Seems normal. But roughly 20 minutes later, investigators say Burke sent messages asking where she was. So if she's in your house, why are you texting her? Prosecutors believe those messages were not actually meant for Celeste, but instead intended to create a like digital record suggesting she never made it inside the home. Later that night, David allegedly called her phone, which went straight to voicemail, I think around midnight, but that's not unusual either. However, prosecutors argue it was yet another attempt to create the appearance that she was still alive. From there, investigators pointed to phone records, location data, iCloud records, and travel history to say they could track David's movements after Celeste disappeared. One detail involved Santa Barbara County. Earlier on in the investigation, Celeste's passport card was found by a Caltrans worker along Highway 154 months after she had vanished, which we had kind of heard about. At that time, investigators did not know how to explain that it got there or even put it together to this crime. But now, prosecutors say phone records placed David in that same area on two separate occasions after her disappearance. They believe those trips may have been connected to disposing of evidence. During the hearing, Celeste's passport photo was shown in court, and reporters said again her mother became visibly emotional. The defense continues to deny all allegations here, and day four also offered a clearer look at the defense's possible strategy. If there's one thing that's become clear from these hearings, it's that investigators have been building this case piece by piece for over a year. Phone records, purchase histories, travel data. We got financial records, DNA, blood evidence, digital communications, and photographs. And now prosecutors are asking the court to look at all of it together. The preliminary hearing is still ongoing and prosecutors still have additional witnesses and evidence to present. But once they conclude, the judge will decide whether the pre the case proceeds to a full jury trial. So I'm checking my mail for that jury summons. This is just the beginning, though, you guys, and we'll continue following every development as it unfolds. If there's another update, we'll be back to break it all down for you. If you've been following this case, let us know what you think in the comments. What piece of evidence has stood out to you the most so far? Until then, you can like, follow, subscribe on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, watch us on YouTube, listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and email us at thegirls at so cowslaughters.com.