S11:E4: The Senseless Murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez (14) "Lying in Wait"

Hollywood, California- In September 2025, a disturbing discovery led investigators to a case that would capture national attention — the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. 

Celeste’s remains were discovered inside the trunk of a vehicle belonging to musician David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd. 

Authorities later ruled Celeste’s death a homicide. 

As investigators worked to uncover the truth, questions emerged about the circumstances leading up to her death, the relationship between Celeste and D4vd and the warning signs that may have been missed.

In this episode of Senseless True Crime, we examine the timeline of Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s disappearance and death, the investigation that followed, and the ongoing pursuit of justice for a young girl whose story deserves to be remembered not only for how she died, but for the life she deserved to live.

Rest in Peace - Celeste Rivas Hernandez 🙏🕊️

This episode discusses child exploitation, abuse, and homicide. Listener discretion is advised. 

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Transcript

SPEAKER_09 0:00

This podcast contains graphic details, which may be disturbing to some listeners, but some of discretion is advised. I'm Chantel B, and welcome back to the show. When people think of predators, they often imagine strangers lurking in dark places. But many predators don't hide in the shadows, they hide in plain sight, earning trust, conversations, secrets, and boundaries crossed one at a time. They build the trust before they exploit it, using grooming and manipulation to establish control over their victims. But by the time anyone recognizes the danger and what is truly happening, the damage has often already been done. What is left is a child who has already become trapped in a situation that they never had the power to understand. Today we are examining a case that has raised difficult questions surrounding online relationships and the responsibility of adults who exploit young children. What began as a search for a missing teenager had eventually grew into a complex criminal investigation that would involve a rising musician, months of digital evidence and allegations that continue to draw national attention. This is the story of fourteen year old Celeste Rivas Hernandez and the red flags that went unnoticed till it was far too late. And I must caution you that this case is deeply distressing, horrific, and heartbreaking. Long before her name became synonymous with a heartbreaking tragedy, Celeste Rivas Hernandez was simply navigating the challenges of adolescence, unaware that the trajectory of her life would be tragically altered by an adult who manipulated her trust. The biggest question throughout this case how does a teenager's online relationship become the center of one of the most disturbing criminal cases in modern history? And how did these circumstances spiral out of control in such a profound and devastating manner that this case turned into the devastating tragedy that it is today? Back in April of 2025, fourteen year old Celeste Rivas disappeared from her home in Lake Elsinore, California. For months her family searched for answers, hoping she would return home safely. But instead, the investigation uncovered a series of events that would shock both law enforcement and the public. Detectives worked to piece together phone records, surveillance footage, and thousands of digital messages. They uncovered a timeline that prosecutors say revealed a long hidden relationship with a heartbreaking in, one that no child should ever have to endure. The legal proceedings are still unfolding in this case, and David Anthony Burke, known professionally as David, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. As with every criminal case, the allegations presented by prosecutors must be proven in court. But for Celeste's family, the focus has never changed. They continue to seek answers and justice for their daughter whose life ended far too soon. But before we get into the gruesome details of the case, we must first honor the victim. Celeste Rivas Hernandez was born on september seventh, twenty ten, and she grew up in Lake Elsinore, California. Celeste was the youngest in a family of five, with two older siblings. Her parents immigrated to the United States from El Salvador to build a better future for their children. Celeste's childhood was like many other teenagers, filled with hopes and dreams of what the future might hold. Celeste was a seventh grade student at Lakeland Village School. She was known by her classmates and teachers as quiet, but with a gentle spirit. Celeste was remembered by those closest to her as a warm, cheerful, and loving daughter. She possessed a natural ability to connect with people. Celeste deeply valued family. She made lasting memories with those she cared about most. Her loved ones and friends recalled her as thoughtful, respectful, and compassionate. Her comforting personality put others at ease, and despite her youth, she approached life with kindness. Much like any teenager, Celeste was in the midst of self-discovery. She was beginning to envision the possibilities of her own future. However, as 2024 began, Celeste's family noticed changes that were concerning and left them increasingly worried. While she was just 13 years old at the time, her parents reported her missing on three separate occasions. The first report was made on February 15th, followed by the second report on March 19th and a third missing person's report on April 15th. Now each disappearance brought fear and an uncertainty to her family. They desperately hoped that each time Celeste would return home safely. Although she did come back each time, the repeated runaway incidents suggested that something was happening in her life that those closest to her were struggling to understand. For her parents, those missing persons reports were more than just a call to law enforcement. They were a cry for help. But it was also another painful reminder that their daughter was becoming increasingly difficult to protect. Like many parents, they wanted to keep her safe, but they were also navigating the challenges that often come with raising a teenage girl who was seeking more than just independence. Each time Celeste returned home, her parents hoped that the situation would get better, but they were unaware that the concerns surrounding her disappearances would continue to grow. Like many girls her age, Celeste was very active on social media. She used social media apps to communicate with friends, and that is where she spent much of her free time. Celeste had a constant presence on online platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat. This allowed her to meet new people but also to stay connected beyond school friendships and her local community. While social media can be a place for friendships and self-expression, social media can also expose young children to individuals whose intentions are not always genuine. For someone as young as Celeste, it was difficult to recognize the risk that could exist behind social media. Most parents don't even realize who their children are communicating with online until an issue arises. Celeste was drawn into an online connection that would eventually raise alarms due to the deeply concerning age gap. At just fourteen years old, Celeste was still a child, vulnerable and still developing her understanding of creating boundaries. Lacking the life experience to even process those risks, what she likely viewed as a meaningful bond was actually the beginning of a trajectory that would later horrify the nation. It is a chilling reality that grooming and manipulation had occurred during this time. One that would spiral into an unimaginable tragedy, leaving her family shattered, a community grappling with the senseless loss of a life that held so much potential. Celeste's family knew that things were spiraling. They began noticing unusual changes in her behavior. Celeste was becoming difficult to control, to keep on a schedule, and she began skipping school frequently and disrespecting her parents' rules. When Celeste's parents realized they could no longer account for her whereabouts, their concern quickly turned into fear. After exhausting every effort to locate her on their own, they reported her missing to the police for the fourth time, hoping that law enforcement could help bring Celeste home safely. For her parents, the uncertainty was overwhelming. The issues that they were having with their daughter was exhausting. They had already experienced the anxiety of reporting Celeste missing in the past, but this time they feared something far more serious had happened. So when investigators with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department began working to piece together Celeste's final known moments, those detectives spoke with family, friends, and also classmates. They spoke with anyone who might have had recent contact with Celeste. Every piece of information was treated as a potential lead, as investigators worked to understand where she had been, who she had spent time with, and whether anyone else had noticed unusual changes in her behavior before she disappeared. As the investigation progressed, detectives turned their attention to Celeste's digital activity. They carefully reviewed and tracked her cell phone records, her text messages and social media accounts. They also were able to pull and track her location data, hoping that they would reveal clues regarding her last known contacts and her whereabouts. Now that digital evidence soon highlighted one name that appeared repeatedly, 21-year-old David Anthony Burke, also known as David, a popular musician who became famous for his music on TikTok. Now records show that the two had been in frequent contact, making Burke an important focus of the investigation, while detectives worked to determine what role, if any, he may have played in Celeste's disappearance. Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department reached out to David back on February 17th following the discovery of his phone number within Celeste's records. During that conversation, Burke told investigators that he had last spoken with Celeste on either February 13th or February 14th. He also stated that he did not know that she was a minor and claimed he was unaware that she had been reported missing. Now his statements were documented as investigators continued comparing his witness account with the evidence they had already collected. When detectives later interviewed David in greater detail, they carried out additional searches connected to this investigation. And at the same time, they continued gathering evidence from multiple sources to build a clear timeline of Celeste's final days. When investigators reviewed surveillance footage from locations that she was believed to have visited, which would include rideshare records from Uber and Lyft, they also examined other evidence to trace her movements before she disappeared. Each new piece of information was carefully analyzed in hopes of determining where Celeste had gone and who she had last been with. As investigators built their timeline, the case became increasingly revealing, yet complex. What had begun as a simple missing person's investigation was slowly revealing a series of connections that demanded a closer look. With every phone record, surveillance footage and witness interviews, all of those facts helped detectives to narrow down their focus as they worked tirelessly to find Celeste. Meanwhile, her family continued to wait for answers, holding on to hope that Celeste would be found safe, but they were unaware that the investigation was moving toward a heartbreaking discovery that would change their lives forever. The search for answers into the disappearance of Celeste Rivas Hernandez took a devastating turn on September 8, 2025, when officers with the LAPD responded to reports of a strong odor coming from a vehicle parked inside a tow yard in Hollywood. The vehicle, which was a black Tesla, was registered to 21-year-old David Anthony Burke. What initially appeared to be a routine call quickly became the beginning of a major criminal investigation. When officers inspected the vehicle, they opened the front trunk and what they discovered was absolutely horrific. Two black trash bags containing human remains. This shocking discovery immediately prompted detectives and forensic specialists to secure the scene, and they worked tirelessly to process every piece of evidence. The investigators carefully documented the vehicle, collected that forensic evidence, and worked to determine the identity of the victim. The discovery marked a heartbreaking turning point in a case that had started months earlier as a missing person's investigation. For more than a week, investigators worked to confirm the identity of the remains through forensic testing. Then on September 17, 2025, the police announced that the victim had been identified as 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the young girl who had been reported missing from her home in Lake Elsinore, California. This confirmation brought a heartbreaking end to months of uncertainty for Celeste's family. But it also marked the beginning of an even more complex investigation. Detectives shifted their focus towards determining exactly what happened to Celeste and who was responsible. Following the identification of Celeste's remains, investigators begin reconstructing her final days. They carefully reviewed the forensic evidence with the digital records and surveillance footage along with witness statements, and they established a timeline during the missing person's investigation. The detectives worked to determine how Celeste had traveled, who she had been in contact with, and the events that ultimately led to the discovery of her remains. As more evidence was gathered, the investigation centered on David Anthony Burke, whose previous interactions with Celeste had already drawn the attention of investigators. Nearly two months after the discovery of Celeste's remains, reports began to emerge that Burke was the primary suspect in the investigation. But although police had initially released only limited information, the growing body of evidence continued to strengthen the case. Detectives remained focused on presenting a thorough investigation, supported by their forensic findings and witness testimony, before taking the next legal step in holding David accountable for the murder of Celeste. On April 16th, 2026, David Anthony Burke was arrested in Los Angeles in connection with Celeste's case. At the time of his arrest, formal charges had not been filed. The LAPD announced that David was being held on suspicion of murdering Celeste. Burke was taken into custody without bail, while investigators submitted their findings to prosecutors for review. And a decision would be made on the official charges. David's arrests marked a significant milestone in the investigation. But it also brought Celeste's family one step closer to the justice they had been seeking since the day she disappeared. Let's take a listen.

SPEAKER_11 19:51

David's music label, Interscope Records, is already distancing themselves from the controversy. KTLA's Lindsey Pena is live in the Hollywood Hills, where the singer was arrested. Lindsay.

SPEAKER_03 22:00

Saying the singer hasn't been charged with any crime. Quote, the actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez, and he was not the cause of her death. Despite no official charges being filed yet, David's label Interscope already wiping his page off their site. Now an attorney for Celeste Rivas' family telling us they plan to speak briefly on Monday after the DA makes their announcement. They issued a statement saying in part, quote, the family remembers Celeste as a daughter and sister whose loss has deeply affected those who knew and loved her. In learning of Burke's arrest, Celeste's father, Jesus Riva, said, quote, thank God, justice for Celeste. We are reporting live from the Hollywood Hills. Lindsay Penya, KTLA5.

SPEAKER_09 22:41

Although David Anthony Burke had been arrested, the investigation was far from over. Prosecutors began to outline what they believed had happened in the months before Celeste's disappearance. Their findings painted a troubling picture of an alleged relationship that had begun years earlier when Celeste was still a young child. According to prosecutors, there had been an earlier period when Celeste returned home after leaving during one of the periods that her parents reported her missing. What investigators uncovered was the communication did not end there. The prosecutors alleged that David drove to Lake Elsinore and paid one of Celeste's junior high school classmates $1,000 to secretly deliver a new cell phone that he had purchased for her. Now authorities believe that this allowed the two of them to continue communicating without her parents' acknowledge. Investigators also revisited concerns that had previously surrounded Celeste's family. The prosecutors later argued that despite her parents' repeated efforts to protect her, Celeste continued communicating with David through the replacement fund, making it increasingly difficult to intervene. As the investigation continued, prosecutors allege that on April 23rd, 2025, David arranged for an Uber to pick Celeste up from her home in Lake Elsinore. The prosecutors also allege that after Celeste arrived at David's home, he murdered the 14-year-old. Now those allegations will become central to the criminal case against him. As investigators continue gathering evidence to support the timeline, the authorities also allege that the relationship between David and Celeste had begun years before her murder. Prosecutors claim the two first met back in 2022 when Celeste was just 11 years old. They further allege that by November 2023, when David was 18, and by then Celeste was 13, the relationship had become inappropriate and sexual in nature. When investigators examined text messages and other evidence, they worked to establish the history of their contact and the nature of the relationship. As prosecutors assembled their case, they argued that the evidence demonstrated a pattern of continued contact despite Celeste's parents' repeated attempts to protect her against David. The allegations presented by investigators would become a major focus of the legal proceedings. The prosecutors sought to prove that the events leading up to Celeste's murder were neither sudden nor isolated. The prosecutors claimed that David Burke was lying in wait for the moment to kill Celeste. For Celeste's family, each new revelation was another painful reminder of the daughter that they had lost. Celeste was a young girl whose life had been cut short before she ever had the chance to reach her full potential. Let's take a listen as the district attorney lays out the case against David Anthony Burke.

SPEAKER_08 26:52

She has held him to answer for first-degree murder with the special circumstances of lying in wait, doing this crime for financial gain, and murdering a witness to an investigation. David Anthony Burke has also been held to answer for the mutilation of the remains of Celeste Rivas Hernandez on September 8, 2025. And he has also been held to answer for engaging in continuous, lewd, and lascivious acts with a 13-year-old. What we have seen in this preliminary hearing, and the preliminary hearing was conducted by one of our most experienced deputy district attorneys, who is right here, Beth Silverman, and her team working with the Los Angeles Police Department's robbery homicide division. They methodically presented over five different days before Judge Olmeida. The evidence that showed, and at this point we had to show it by probable cause. But by probable cause, and I would argue by an overwhelming amount of probable cause, and we will eventually prove this beyond a reasonable doubt. It followed the timeline of the interactions between Celeste Rivas Hernandez when she started as a 12-year-old, then a 13-year-old, then a 14-year-old who never got to see her 15th birthday. Because in the intervening time where she had these interactions with Mr. Burke, he engaged in this sexual conduct with a 13-year-old repeatedly, over and over again. This came out in text messages that were presented, in videos and photographs that were presented to the judge that showed this sexual activity. Ms. Silverman methodically tracked the timeline of their interactions during 2022, 23, 24, 25, that eventually led to the time where Celeste Rivas Hernandez went over to Mr. Burke's house in the Hollywood Hills on April 23rd, 2025, and has never been heard of again. But what Miss Silverman and the and her team were able to show to Judge Omega is that on April 23rd, 2025, what actually happened was the brutal and horrific murder of Miss Hernandez, and thereafter, over the ensuing five months, how her body was chopped up, left in the front trunk of a Tesla, only to be discovered on September 8th, 2025, after the tow the car, and this is Mr. Burke's car, have been towed to a tow yard. What now happens is that there will be an information that will be filed within the next week or so. That information will track these three felony counts that have already appeared in the complaint. August 31st will be the arraignment on that information. Thereafter, there will be a trial that will be set. That trial can be set as early as 60 days. And as we saw with the preliminary hearing, where the defense demanded that they have that preliminary hearing done within the time that the law allows, whatever time they want a preliminary hearing, we were ready. Often preliminary hearings in a case of this complexity take many, many more months than you have seen in this case. But when the defense demanded a quick preliminary hearing, we said bring it on. And that's exactly what we did. If the defense wants a trial, 60 days out or whenever they want this trial, we will be ready for that trial. So at this point, again, we don't have uh the one additional consideration is that Mr. Burke now is eligible for death penalty. The death penalty considerations are are now being weighed. Part of that consideration will be any submission that the defense wants to submit to the district attorney's office, it is something that we will consider on whether or not we will seek the death penalty. At this point, the death penalty determination has not been made. I will now open it up for questions.

SPEAKER_09 31:07

As the case moved into the early stages of the court process, prosecutors begin presenting the evidence they believe explained what led to Celeste's murder. During the preliminary hearing, the prosecutors outlined a timeline built from text messages, surveillance footage, and other evidence collected throughout the investigation. Their goal was to show not only what they believed happened on the day Celeste disappeared, but also how the relationship between her and David Anthony Burke had developed over time. The concerning fact of this was that David was already an adult when he started this relationship with Celeste, who was only eleven years old. According to prosecutors, one of the most significant pieces of evidence came from text messages that were exchanged between Celeste and David. Back in March of 2025, Celeste sent David a text expressing her disappointment with the relationship. She wrote that all they ever did was spend time together being physically intimate, adding that she wanted more for herself. Investigators also pointed to another series of concerning messages that were exchanged on April 22nd, 2025. Just one day before prosecutors said Celeste traveled to Burke's home. According to the prosecution, the two engaged in a lengthy argument through text messages. They allege that Celeste confronted Burke regarding his relationships with other women after believing that the two of them had a future together. The prosecutors further claimed that during that exchange, Celeste threatened to make their relationship public, believing it would expose and damage Burke's public image, but also his growing music and career. Based on the evidence presented, the prosecutors allege that these events provided the motive for the murder. They argue that on April 23rd, 2025, after Celeste arrived at Burke's home in the Hollywood Hills, he then used a sharp instrument to put an end her life. Not only did he end Celeste's life, he also mutilated her body. The prosecution believed he acted because he feared that Celeste would reveal the details of their relationship and would expose the conduct that he knew would cause serious and illegal consequences while also jeopardizing his growing music career. Burke had the right to contest these allegations in court, but prosecutors also believed that this was the motive for murder beyond a reasonable doubt. The investigation also revealed another piece of the evidence. According to evidence presented by prosecutors, they learned that David and Celeste had continued seeing each other throughout 2024, and those visits were often at his Hollywood Hills home. Prosecutors further allege that Burke had taken Celeste on trips. This would include trips to Las Vegas, Texas, and London. Let's take a listen.

SPEAKER_04 35:16

The singer known as David will stand trial for murder. A judge made that decision this afternoon in a courtroom in downtown LA. David Burke is accused of killing and dismembering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Our investigative reporter Eric Leonard has been in court every day with this hearing. He joins us live right now from downtown LA with more of what happened in court with this hearing.

SPEAKER_07 35:40

The judge here has ruled that there was sufficient evidence to prove that David Burke murdered and dismembered Celeste Rivas Hernandez after a year of sexually abusing her when she was 13 and 14 years old. Prosecutors put on a dozen witnesses over five days. They covered everything from the forensics in the case to the text messages exchanged. But the prosecution says not only are they ready for trial, but that's only a fraction of the evidence that they have. Judge Charlene Almedo said this afternoon that for the purposes of the preliminary hearing, prosecutors had satisfied all the legal standards. She ruled against defense requests to dismiss the charges. During the preliminary hearing, it began last Tuesday. Prosecutors called witnesses to testify about the discovery of Celeste's body, its decomposed condition, and the physical evidence police found that showed Celeste was likely murdered and dismembered inside the Hollywood Hills home where Burke had been living. This morning, an LAPD detective showed more text message exchanges between Burke and Celeste. In one of them, she threatens to reveal their relationship and ruin his career. In others, she threatens violence. Defense attorney suggested in cross-examination that Celeste's parents were well aware of the relationship with Burke, even authorizing their daughter to travel out of the country with him, and that Celeste could have been despondent or had a role in causing her own death. Celeste's parents were in court and heard that and other defense ideas in court, and their attorney, who's contemplating their own legal action against Burke in civil court, says they were startled.

SPEAKER_06 37:13

It seems that the defense attorneys are stopping at nothing in an attempt to discredit the prosecution's evidence. And the family was horrified that the defense attorneys brought up evidence to put the blame on a 14-year-old child.

SPEAKER_07 37:37

Burke has been ordered held without bail, with no bail. He'll be back in court August 31st, and that's when he'll enter pleas to these charges for a second time, and the judge is expected to set a date for the trial. Now, if Burke insists, that trial could be held within 90 days of August 31st, but in all likelihood these things take longer. There are more delays. Even so, the DA says they'll be ready by then or even sooner, perhaps in 60 days, to be ready for a trial. Live outside criminal courts downtown.

SPEAKER_09 38:07

As news of the case spread, public attention extended beyond the courtroom, and David's music and public image was thrust into the spotlight. Online discussions grew rapidly as fans, critics, and commentators began comparing elements of his artistic work with the allegations in the criminal case. Now those comparisons fueled widespread speculation across social media, music forums, and video platforms, making the case one of the most talked-about stories involving a rising music artist. One of the main topics of discussion centered on the music video for Burke's song One More Dance. Many online viewers pointed out that the video includes a scene showing a body being placed in the trunk of a vehicle. The prosecutors allege that Celeste's remains were later found inside the trunk of Burke's Tesla. Some viewers argued that the imagery was unsettling in light of the allegations. But others also claimed that the actress featured in the music video before Burke's song, Romantic Homicide, bore a strikingly resemblant to Celeste. Those observations quickly spread online. Although they have not been presented as proof of any crime, the case also sparked a broader legal debate about whether an artist's creative work should be used as evidence in a criminal trial. Legal experts have long disagreed on this issue, and in some criminal cases, the prosecutors have attempted to introduce song lyrics, music videos, or other artistic works to argue that they demonstrate a defendant's intent, state of mind, or knowledge of certain acts. Defense attorneys, however, often argue that creative expression is fictional by nature and should not be treated as a literal account of real events or as an admission of guilt. As the legal proceedings continue, they search for anything they believe might relate to the allegations, one in particular to the dark themes found in the song Romantic Homicide. They interpret the lyrics as possible clues. The outcome of a criminal case depends on admissible evidence. Witness testimony and forensic findings. The widespread attention surrounding David's music only illustrates how quickly public narratives can develop. But those discussions do not determine the criminal responsibility, no matter how distasteful they may be. Until a verdict is reached, the legal process will continue while Celeste's family remains focused on what they have said matters the most, seeking justice for their daughter. Detectives continued to examine travel records, digital evidence, coupled with witness statements, they were working to establish the extent of their contact and how long this relationship went on. As the preliminary hearing continued, prosecutors argued that the evidence showed a long term pattern of contact that began when Celeste was still very young, just eleven years old, and that contact continued despite repeated concerns from her family. The defense meanwhile would have the opportunity to challenge the prosecution's evidence and present its own arguments while this case moves forward to trial. With each court hearing, more disturbing details emerged, drawing widespread public attention and bringing Celeste's family closer to the answers they had been seeking since the day she disappeared. Prosecutors presented additional disturbing evidence that illustrated the nature of the relationship between Celeste and David Anthony Burke. According to court documents, investigators recovered a large volume of text messages that were exchanged between the two. Prosecutors told the court that many of those conversations reference intimate topics, which would include pregnancy and abortions. Text messages presented during the hearing by prosecutors would indicate that Celeste had undergone multiple abortions. One of those messages, David apologized for putting her through the situation. Celeste responded, it's okay. Neither of us are capable of watching and taking care of the baby. Celeste went on to say it's for the best. David apologized again, then asked whether the baby was his. In a final text message, Celeste replied, Of course it's yours, David. Prosecutors also highlighted messages from March 2025 that they are. Showed growing tensions in the relationship. She expressed frustration, writing that their relationship only consisted of sex, that she wanted more for herself. Prosecution argued that these messages reflected a significant change in the relationship and demonstrated that Celeste had become increasingly dissatisfied in the future of the relationship in the weeks leading up to her disappearance. According to prosecutors, the relationship came to an end back in April 2025 after Celeste threatened to reveal their relationship publicly, which prosecutors contend that would have damaged David's reputation and music career. Prosecutors argued that this dispute became a central part of their theory of a motive. The prosecution further alleged that after Celeste's death, David attempted to conceal the crime by dismembering her remains, then placing them inside his Tesla, where authorities later discovered them in september 2025. Now these allegations form a significant part of the prosecution's case. Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Investigators also testified about the large volume of digital evidence recovered during the investigation. And according to testimony presented in court, those detectives analyzed approximately forty terabytes of electronic data, including text messages, digital records, surveillance footage, and child porn. The prosecution argued that this evidence was essential in reconstructing the timeline presented to the court. During the hearing, prosecutors also noted that Celeste had a tattoo reading sh on her index finger, and allegedly Burke had that same matching tattoo. One of the notable factors from the case was that the index finger that contained that tattoo had been severed. The court also heard testimony regarding additional digital evidence recovered from Burke's phone that prosecutors content is relevant to the charges that will be presented at trial, where both the prosecution and the defense will have the opportunity to present their arguments before the court. David Anthony Burke faced multiple criminal charges, including first degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of fourteen, and mutilation of human remains. Prosecutors also announce that they were considering whether to seek the death penalty if the case met the legal requirements, where a jury will ultimately decide the outcome of the case. While the legal process has continued, Celeste's family faced the painful reality of life without their daughter. They described her as a loving daughter, sister, and friend whose life had been tragically cut short. Shortly after police confirmed her identity, the family released a public statement expressing their grief. They said they were heartbroken by the loss of Celeste, and they remembered her as a sweet and loving girl who deserved the chance to grow up and pursue the future she had always dreamed of. Their public statement reflected the immense pain of losing a child under such devastating circumstances. Celeste's brother later shared that on the night she disappeared, the family believed that she was going to see a movie with Burke, but according to her brother, they had no idea how extensive the relationship between the two had become. Like the rest of the family, he said they were left trying to understand how these events had unfolded and why they had never realized the full extent of what was happening in Celeste's life. Those revelations only deepened the family's grief as more details emerged during the investigation. Outside the courthouse, following Burke's arraignment, Celeste's mother spoke publicly about her daughter's case. Fighting back tears, she told reporters that all she wanted was justice for her daughter. She said she would continue seeking justice until those responsible were held accountable. Her words would echo the determination of a mother who had spent months searching for answers. On october seventh, 2025, about one month after Celeste's remains were identified. Family members, friends, and classmates gathered to say their final goodbyes. The funeral became a powerful reminder of the impact Celeste had on those around her, despite her young age. Community members filled the service to honor her memory, while visuals held throughout Lake Elsinore gave friends and neighbors an opportunity to mourn together, to share memories and to support the grieving family. As the case now moves toward trial, Celeste's family continues to wait for the answers they have sought since the day she disappeared. They're determined to ensure that her life is remembered and that her story is never forgotten. Let's take a listen.

SPEAKER_02 51:22

Celeste was last seen alive in April 2024 in her hometown of Lake Elsinore, about 60 miles southeast of LA. She was 13 at the time. Her mom tells TMZ her daughter had a boyfriend named David, and both David and Revis reportedly had matching shh tattoos on their index fingers. Last week, LAPD detectives searched a home in the Hollywood Hills where the performer stayed and were seen leaving with a computer and other items.

SPEAKER_11 52:22

Every Friday night was movie night, and we spent wonderful times together. We love her very much, and she always told us that she loved us. We miss her deeply. All we want is justice for Celeste.

SPEAKER_09 52:34

Celeste was a 14-year-old girl. She was a child by every definition of the word. And that comes with a distinct difference. I know we live in a world where people don't view children as children. Some people view them as equals to adults. Let me say this. I keep coming back to the one thought that children deserve adults who have enough sense to protect them. As a mother, this case hit me on a deeply personal level. I worked hard to create a home where my children knew that they could tell me anything. Especially if someone ever violated their body or made them feel unsafe. I wanted them to know that they would be believed, that they would not be blamed, and that I would do everything in my power to protect them. Even if the person who violated them was a family member or a friend, one call would be made to the police to report this behavior. But nothing would ever stop me from protecting my children. Because when we talk about a 14-year-old girl, we are talking about a child, not a woman, a child. When we talk about a 21-year-old man, we're talking about an adult, a man who knew better, that started grooming this child when she was 11 years old who manipulated and even impregnated this young girl. Not once, but several times. Because in what world do you think it is okay to impregnate a child? It is disgusting, it's dehumanizing, and it is deplorable. David Anthony Burke knew that this relationship was wrong, which is why he tried to hide it. Anything that anyone tries to hide comes with a great deal of shame. But here's my question to David Anthony Burke. Are you okay? Grown ass men who sexually exploit children. You're disgusting. You became a participant in her disrespecting her parents and running away from home. Trust me, raising a teenage girl, that's not for the weak. Because anybody that tells you that teenage girls don't go through their difficult life changes, they're not giving you the true story. And I have a question. Who was the adult who accompanied her to terminate these pregnancies? Was it the parents? Was it someone that David knew? Because you knew you were doing wrong. If you were not doing wrong, you wouldn't have to hide it. But you impregnated this young girl multiple times between the ages of 11 and 14. Her parents reported her missing four different times. The biggest question that I have is when the parents knew that she was seeing this man, why did they not turn his name over to police? Because if David had enough fortitude to pay one of her classmates to sneak a phone to her so that he could stay in constant contact with her, why wasn't this reported? Had they found Celeste sooner knowing where she was, maybe the outcome would be different. This man was a superstar. He was a celebrity. He had access to things that Celeste had never seen before. The responsibility belongs to the adults. Celeste deserved to be searched for. She deserved to be taken seriously. And most importantly, she deserved to come back home. There should have been no reason why this child should have been pregnant. This is absolutely horrific. This is shameful. My heart bleeds for the fact that no one was able to get to this child before this tragedy happened. David Anthony Burke groomed this child. He was calculated. Grooming isn't simply inappropriate behavior. It is a calculated process of gaining a child's trust, manipulating their emotions, and then gradually pouncing on them like prey. By the time many people recognize what is even happening, the child has already been conditioned to believe that this type of relationship is normal. But over time, sexual behavior is introduced, secrecy, and then eventually isolation. The child doesn't have to recognize that she is being manipulated for grooming to occur. Because a 14-year-old may genuinely believe that she's in love. She may believe that the relationship was special. She may also believe that she was making her own choices. But the adult in the situation, they're the ones with the greater age, with the experience, the power, and also the responsibility. I struggle to find words strong enough for people who sexually abuse children. Whether they are a family member, family friend, a teacher, coach, a neighbor, or even someone standing behind a pulpit. The position they hold does not lessen the harm. In fact, it often makes the betrayal even greater. This week, there was a news story that came out of this exact situation. There was a pastor that was arrested after police alleged that he had a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old boy and exposed that young man to HIV. Cases like this reinforce a painful truth. The title someone carries does not determine their character. Predators can hide behind respectability, a community or religious authority. People often ask whether someone who has committed these kind of acts can change. And I know opinions differ, but mine is simple. Once someone has sexually abused a child, you'll always be a predator. Whatever good they may do afterward can never erase the trauma they inflicted on a child because a child's innocence can never be restored. I also cannot ignore that parents cannot control every circumstance. But they do have a responsibility to recognize warning signs and to intervene when something doesn't feel right. Looking back at this case, I can't help but wish more had been done to protect Celeste before this situation ended in tragedy. Celeste should have been allowed to experience childhood without being sexually manipulated. Instead, her story became another reminder of what can happen when a child is failed by the very people who should have kept her safe. Because if there's one lesson that we can take away from this case, let it be this. Believe children, pay attention to grooming behaviors, and never dismiss concerns. Simply because the person involved appeared to be trustworthy. Celeste life mattered and that fact should never be lost on us. David Anthony Burke lured her to that home, stabbed her to death, mutilated her body, put her in the trunk of his vehicle, but let it sit there for months in a toll yard, decomposing like trash. It left her family to wonder whether she was alive or not. I hope and pray that when this case goes to trial, that David Burke will feel the full weight of his actions. Because this did not have to happen. Celeste mattered. She deserved to live her life. My heart goes out to her family who have had to grieve for the loss of their daughter. But my heartaches for Celeste for the pain that she had to endure, putting her trust in a predator that exploited her and ultimately took her life. Celeste deserved more. Celeste Rivas Hernandez, may your sweet and beautiful soul forever rest in peace. Thank you guys for tuning in to another episode of Senseless True Crime. We appreciate every listen, every message, and every story you send our way. You can reach the show anytime at senseless true crime at gmail.com. And don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook at Senseless TrueCrime Podcasts. And until next time, stay safe, stay informed, and please take care of yourselves.