Overview of Dateline True Crime Weekly
This episode (Dateline True Crime Weekly, April 23) covers four main items: an investigation in Henderson County, North Carolina into a mother accused of poisoning family members at Thanksgiving; the arrest of singer David (D4VD) in connection with the death of a teenage girl; a Roundup of recent legal developments (Alec Baldwin’s civil exposure and the guilty verdict in a Utah murder plot); and an interview for Sexual Assault Awareness Month with survivor‑advocate Donna Palumbo of Jane Doe No More. The show mixes new court documents, investigative reporting, and survivor resources and guidance.
North Carolina: Alleged Thanksgiving poisoning (Gudrun Kasper Leinenkugel)
- Summary
- Prosecutors allege 53-year-old Gudrun Kasper Leinenkugel (born Linda Casper) intentionally spiked wine served at a Thanksgiving dinner; her 32‑year‑old daughter Lila (also spelled Leela in public reports) died the next day and another adult (Maya’s boyfriend, Richard) was hospitalized with severe cyanide poisoning.
- Investigators obtained and unsealed search warrant affidavits that provide the early investigative narrative and evidence summary.
- Key evidence and timeline
- Thanksgiving dinner had six adults. After the meal Richard became acutely ill and was hospitalized; Lila was later found dead at home.
- Toxicology: Richard had about five times a lethal dose of cyanide in his system; Lila’s blood contained acetonitrile, which metabolizes into cyanide.
- A bottle of wine served at the meal was tested; the bottle was later turned over to investigators.
- Gudrun told investigators she thought the wine “tasted off,” said the bottle had been open, and suggested it may have been stored near chemicals. She acknowledged buying acetonitrile.
- Additional alleged incident
- Prosecutors say a 2007 death of a man named Michael Schmidt (who lived on the same property in a camper) involved acetonitrile in his system; that death was originally ruled accidental. Gudrun is now charged in connection with his death as well.
- Legal status and context
- Gudrun has pleaded not guilty to murder and attempted murder charges and remains jailed without bond.
- Family members (including one daughter, Maya) continue to publicly support her, according to reporting.
- Next court date: hearing scheduled April 30 (as of the episode).
- What makes this case notable
- Use of industrial chemical (acetonitrile → cyanide) as alleged poisoning agent.
- Investigators relied on newly unsealed search warrants and toxicology ties between two deaths on the same property.
Arrest of singer David (D4VD) — death of Celeste Rivas
- Summary
- David Anthony Burke (stage name D4VD), a viral TikTok singer who rose to prominence with the song "Romantic Homicide," was arrested and charged with first‑degree murder with “special circumstances,” continuous sexual abuse of a minor, and mutilation of a body in connection with the death of 14‑year‑old Celeste Rivas.
- Facts and alleged timeline
- Celeste Rivas of Lake Elsinore was reported missing in April 2024 (she was 13 at that time, according to family reports).
- Prosecutors say Celeste was alive into 2025 (last seen by others in April 2025 per their timeline). Her remains were discovered in September 2025 in the trunk of Burke’s Tesla after the car generated an overpowering smell at a tow yard.
- Burke was on tour when the remains were discovered; he continued performing early in the investigation but was later arrested (arrest announced about one year after Celeste was last seen).
- Legal posture and defense
- Burke pleaded not guilty. His attorneys stated they will vigorously defend his innocence and claim the evidence will show he did not cause Celeste’s death.
- The prosecution convened a grand jury and has presented evidence leading to the current charges.
- Additional notes
- The case has received heavy public attention because of Burke’s fame and the young victim.
- The matter is under active investigation and prosecution; courts will determine next procedural steps.
Dateline Roundup: Alec Baldwin & Utah murder case
- Alec Baldwin (Rust shooting)
- Civil development: a gaffer (Serge Svetnoy) who was injured in the 2021 Rust set shooting sued Baldwin; a judge denied Baldwin’s motion to dismiss, so the civil case can proceed.
- Trial date (if not settled): October 12 (civil jury trial).
- Background: criminal case against Baldwin for involuntary manslaughter was previously dismissed after the judge found the prosecution withheld evidence; the armorer was convicted.
- Utah murder plot — Tracy Grist
- Case overview: Prosecutors accused Tracy Grist of masterminding the 2024 killing of her son‑in‑law, Matt Ristelli; they alleged she recruited her daughter Kate to lure Matt to Tracy’s home, where Tracy’s son Kevin shot him.
- Trial developments: Tracy took the stand, denied plotting or being present when the shooting occurred, and said she heard gunfire after Matt allegedly entered unexpectedly. The defense portrayed her as a true‑crime fan who researches cases; prosecutors highlighted internet searches and inconsistencies.
- Verdict (post‑taping update): Jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts; Tracy faces up to life in prison.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month — Donna Palumbo (Jane Doe No More)
- Donna Palumbo’s background
- Survivor of a 1993 masked home invasion sexual assault; she experienced re‑victimization by authorities early in her case.
- She founded Jane Doe No More to improve societal and institutional responses to sexual violence and to support survivors.
- Programs and services
- Education and prevention programs (including “Safety for Me” for ages 5–11).
- Survivor support: a closed Facebook group (JDNM) for peer support (roughly 600 members referenced).
- Survivor Speak team and advocacy work to change how victims are treated.
- Practical guidance Donna shared for survivors or supporters
- Immediate safety: get to a safe place, call 911.
- Evidence preservation: go to a hospital for a forensic (sex‑crimes) exam; you can have evidence collected and held even if you’re unsure about filing a police report right away (rules vary by state).
- Documentation helps: keep notes, diaries, messages, or any contemporaneous records that may corroborate later reports.
- Support disclosures: if someone tells you, be present, ask how you can help, respect their choices, and help them access resources.
- Central message
- Re‑victimization by systems is common; survivor‑led advocacy and education can change responses, reduce stigma, and support prevention.
Key takeaways and next steps to watch
- North Carolina poisoning case: unsealed warrants tie acetonitrile/cyanide exposure to two deaths on the same property; Gudrun remains jailed, with a court hearing April 30.
- D4VD (David Burke): charged with first‑degree murder and related counts after discovery of a teenage girl’s remains in his Tesla; pleaded not guilty and awaits prosecution.
- Alec Baldwin: his civil exposure over the Rust shooting will proceed unless settled; civil trial set for October 12.
- Tracy Grist: convicted on all charges; faces significant prison exposure.
- For survivors: Donna Palumbo emphasizes safety first, evidence collection, documentation, and accessing survivor support (Jane Doe No More as one example).
Notable quotes / soundbites from the episode
- On the North Carolina case: investigators highlight the link between acetonitrile in toxicology and alleged purposeful contamination of wine.
- From the Utah trial testimony (Tracy Grist): “I took Katie’s face in my hands and I said, ‘Kevin shot Matt,’” — part of Tracy’s account as recounted on the stand.
- From Donna Palumbo: the reason she launched advocacy — being re‑victimized after reporting — and the advice to get to safety and consider evidence collection even if unsure about reporting.
Producers and credits: Dateline True Crime Weekly (host Andrea Canning) — episode produced and reported by Dateline staff; additional reporting referenced from NBC News and Dateline producers.