Overview of RedHanded Part One: The Killing of Celeste Rivas Hernandez
This episode covers the early public details of a live true-crime case centered on the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez and singer David “D4vd” Burke. The hosts walk through the shocking discovery of Celeste’s remains in a Tesla linked to Burke, the internet frenzy that followed, and the increasingly serious criminal allegations that emerged months later. They emphasize that the case is still active and unresolved, but the evidence described so far points far beyond an accidental death or simple concealment of a body.
What Happened
- On September 8, 2025, workers at an LA impound lot found a foul smell coming from a Tesla Model X that had been towed after being left abandoned.
- Inside the front trunk, police discovered:
- a black cadaver bag containing a severely decomposed head and torso
- a trash bag with the victim’s dismembered arms and legs
- The car belonged to David “D4vd” Burke.
- The victim was later identified by dental records as Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who had been missing for about 18 months.
The Public Reaction and Online Speculation
- The case immediately exploded online because it involved:
- a famous young musician
- a 14-year-old victim
- graphic images, lyrics, and videos that people believed seemed suspicious in hindsight
- Social media users circulated:
- lyrics from Burke’s songs
- references to his hit “Romantic Homicide”
- his music video for “One More Dance,” which includes imagery of blood and moving a body
- The hosts note that some fans tried to argue Burke was being framed, while others assumed the worst.
Key Legal Developments
- After months of little public progress, Burke was arrested on April 16, 2026.
- He was later charged with:
- first-degree murder
- continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14
- unlawful mutilation of human remains
- At the time of recording, he had pleaded not guilty and had not been convicted.
- Prosecutors reportedly said they had 40 terabytes of evidence, and the defense pushed for an immediate preliminary hearing.
- That hearing, originally scheduled for late May, was delayed until the end of June.
Autopsy Findings
The autopsy report, released in April 2026, strongly undercuts the idea that Celeste died by accident:
- The cause of death was listed as multiple penetrating injuries from a sharp object
- One wound punctured the liver
- Another punctured the left lung
- Either wound could have been fatal
- The body showed extensive dismemberment:
- arms removed above the elbow
- legs removed above the knee
- legs further cut into two sections
Why the Dismemberment Matters
The hosts stress that the way the body was cut suggests more than panic:
- the dismemberment was done in a way that suggests some knowledge or experience
- it may indicate research or assistance from someone else
- the effort to cut the body down to fit in the frunk seems deliberate
- but the dumping of the car was careless, which creates a strange contrast
Main Takeaways
- The episode frames this as a potentially far darker case than an overdose or accidental death.
- The forensic evidence described in the autopsy points to homicide, not an accident.
- The dismemberment and disposal suggest deliberate concealment.
- Despite the severity of the charges, the case is still pending, and the hosts caution that a full legal outcome has not yet been reached.
What Remains Unresolved
- Who actually killed Celeste Rivas Hernandez?
- Was David Burke acting alone or with help?
- Was there a sexual-abuse element connected to the homicide charges?
- Why was the body handled with such care in some ways, but then abandoned so sloppily?
- Will the case go to trial, or resolve through a plea agreement?
Bottom Line
Part one lays out the horrifying discovery, the forensic evidence, and the rapid escalation from speculation to major felony charges. The episode’s central argument is that Celeste’s death appears to be an intentional, violent killing followed by deliberate dismemberment and concealment — not an accident.