Crime Stories with Nancy Grace - D4vd Fires High-Profile Defense Team in Tesla Trunk Murder Case | Crime Alert 09.01.26

Episode Date: September 1, 2026

Singer D4vd has fired his high-profile legal team and pleaded not guilty during his Los Angeles arraignment for the gruesome murder and dismemberment of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. In Oklahoma, extraction facility owner Ryan Bassham faces first-degree murder charges following a massive, illegal THC lab explosion that killed two workers and damaged over twenty neighboring businesses. An 81-year-old California mother who had both of her legs amputated after an alleged impaired driver plowed into a sidewalk dining area is maintaining a positive outlook as her recovery continues. Sydney Silvagni reports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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A stunning turn of events in a Los Angeles courtroom Monday, as 21-year-old singer David Anthony Burke, known as David, returned for his arraignment. Burke unexpectedly fired his high-profile legal team, led by Attorney Blair Burke, telling Judge Charlene Olmito he wished to be represented by public defender Walid Candiel instead. Judge Olmeido granted the request after determining Burke qualified for appointed counsel. In a statement, Attorney Burke expressed ongoing support,

noting they are grateful the public defender's office has taken over his representation with a capable team. This dramatic shift comes during what was expected to be a routine hearing in a murder case that has sent shockwaves through the music industry. Burke entered a plea of not guilty to charges of murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains, alongside special circumstance allegations that he murdered a witness, killed for financial gain, and lay in wait. The case centers on the gruesome death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Electronic records show Celeste was 11 when she began communicating online with Burke who was living in Houston making Fortnite videos. Prosecutors alleged their relationship

turned physical in late 2023 after Burke moved to Los Angeles, becoming sexual in 2024 when Celeste was 13. By spring 2025, the relationship grew fraught as Celeste threatened to expose Burke after discovering he was seeing other women. Fearing the disclosure would destroy. his music career, Burke allegedly lured Celeste on April 23, 2025, to a rented home in the Hollywood Hills, where he stabbed her to death and dismembered her body in the garage. On September 8th, 2025, her decomposing remains were discovered inside the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke at a Hollywood tow lot. Burke was arrested April 26, 2026, and remains jailed without bail. District Attorney Nathan Hachman spoke outside the downtown courthouse regarding

the defense transition. As soon as a defense announces ready to proceed, the DA's office is ready to proceed. But very often in these cases, a new lawyer will take additional time to review all the evidence in the case in order to make sure that that new lawyer is ready to proceed. That may or may not happen in this case. What also may or may not happen is that that new attorney will evaluate the evidence presented during the preliminary hearing. And they can file a motion to dismiss one or all three of the charges based on legal grounds. We don't know if that at this time if that will happen as well. Hachman went on to detail the pending decision regarding potential capital punishment in the case. The last thing that will have to be decided, and that's a

decision by myself as the district attorney, is whether or not we'll be seeking the death penalty in this case. We had invited David Anthony Burke's prior counsel to submit what's called a mitigation packet to the district attorney's office for consideration. A mitigation packet are factors that we are to consider why we should not bring the death penalty in this case. We had not received that mitigation practice packet as of today. Burke's next status hearing is set for October 19th, with a trial expected within 90 days of that hearing. More crime and justice news after this. Netflix and Disney Plus from $94 a month, price guaranteed for two years on internet with a two-year term and auto pay credit. Visit bell.ca for details and to check availability. Bell, connection is

everything. In Oklahoma, 35-year-old Ryan Basham of Tulsa turned himself in on Sunday, August 30th, after being charged with two counts of first-degree murder. According to court records, Basham, the owner of Solo's extracts, LLC, was released after posting a $2 million bond. The charges follow a massive explosion just after 1 a.m. on Thursday at the Morrow Gill Business Complex in Sand Springs that was felt 30 to 40 miles away and damaged over 20 neighboring businesses. Emergency crews found worker Stephen Scott dead at the scene while Michael Newman was critically injured and later died. An affidavit reveals Newman told an EMT that the facility lacked adequate ventilation and exploded when he unplugged equipment. Investigative findings from the Oklahoma LP Gas Administration indicate the explosion resulted from an active illegal marijuana manufacturing operation using liquid propane brought in after a January inspection. Officials confirmed Basham lacked valid state medical marijuana licensing, resulting in charges for illegally manufacturing controlled dangerous substances.

In Los Angeles, an 81-year-old mother had both legs amputated following a horrifying crash outside of Boyle Heights. restaurant. On July 7th at around 3.30 p.m., Christina Vargas was enjoying lunch outside Los Cinco Puntos with her daughter Gabriela and a friend when an SUV plowed into them. Surveillance footage showed the vehicle veering onto the sidewalk into the outdoor dining area. Gabriela Vargas described the terrifying moment to KTLA. I remember I just heard screeching, like just screeching noises and I was slowly lifting up my head. And as I was focusing, I just saw headlights in a bumper, and then I just heard a big boom. And then the next thing I knew, I know that I got airborne. Like I felt it. The crash pinned Christina beneath the vehicle,

while Gabriela suffered a head injury and severe knee laceration. Though Gabriela and their friend recovered, Christina underwent three surgeries resulting in double amputation. Despite her severe injuries, Kristina remains positive in rehabilitation. Police confirmed the driver, who has not been named was impaired and faces multiple felony charges, while a GoFundMe has raised over $30,000 for Christina's ongoing care. For more Crime and Justice News, be sure to join us for crime stories with Nancy Grace on Fox 1, YouTube, SiriusXM, and now streaming on Tooby. With this crime alert, I'm Sidney. This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human.