At a glance Location: Hollywood Hills and downtown Los Angeles, California Case period: Relationship allegedly began in 2023; victim reported missing in 2024; remains discovered September 2025 Victim: A teenage girl from the Los Angeles area Critical clue: A decomposed body discovered inside a Tesla at an impound lot, after the vehicle reportedly began to smell of decomposition
For nearly a year, a Los Angeles family searched for answers about a missing 13-year-old girl. There were no clear leads, no confirmed sightings, and no explanation — until an impound lot employee noticed something wrong with the smell coming from a Tesla that had sat untouched for weeks. What police said they found inside would launch a case that has stretched across a five-day preliminary hearing, thousands of pages of text messages, and a legal fight over whether prosecutors had enough evidence to take it to trial at all.
A Missing Girl and a Foul-Smelling Tesla
According to court testimony, Los Angeles police began investigating in 2024 after the girl, identified in court records as Celeste Rivas Hernandez, was reported missing by her family. Investigators later linked her to musician David Anthony Burke, then 21, whom prosecutors allege had been in a sexual relationship with her beginning when she was 13 and he was 18. Officers testified that a Tesla Model X, reportedly registered to Burke in Texas, had been towed and left at a Hollywood lot before workers noticed the smell of decomposition. Officer Joshua Buyers, of the LAPD’s robbery-homicide unit, testified that when the body was removed from the vehicle’s front trunk compartment, decomposition made facial identification impossible — but a tattoo on the hand helped investigators connect the remains to Celeste.
A Musician’s Fortune Under Scrutiny
Prosecutors spent significant time establishing Burke’s finances, according to court records. Benjamin Greger, former director of finance at Mogul Vision Partners, testified that Burke earned between $10 million and $11.5 million in gross income from 2023 to 2025. A senior finance executive with Interscope/UMG testified separately that Burke was paid $5.12 million for an EP and two albums. Prosecutors have argued this financial success supports a “killing for financial gain” special circumstance, suggesting Burke feared Celeste could damage his career. Greger also testified that he advised Burke’s mother, Colleen, to move properties out of her son’s name — testimony that included this exchange, read from the transcript:
“Do you remember testifying that the reason you told her to do that was to protect the estate from any civil suit so the victim’s family wouldn’t be able to obtain those or get access to that money?” “I do recall. Yes.”
Defense attorneys countered that Burke, new to Los Angeles and living alone for the first time, had little understanding of or interest in his own finances — a point they say undercuts any theory that he killed to protect his wealth.
Forensic Evidence Inside the Car
LAPD criminalist Chelsea Mario testified that she recovered at least 11 air fresheners scattered throughout the Tesla — in the center console, the rear seats and the front trunk area where the remains were found. She also described insect activity, including maggots and dead flies, consistent with prolonged decomposition. Prosecutors have suggested the air fresheners point to deliberate concealment.
What the Autopsy Showed
According to reporting from inside the courtroom, LA County Deputy Medical Examiner Dr. Bran Hoe testified that Celeste’s death was ruled a homicide, citing two penetrating wounds, and that a power tool — possibly a chainsaw — could have been used in the dismemberment of her remains. Investigators had recovered two chainsaws from Burke’s garage, and testimony indicated a third chainsaw was missing. Because of severe decomposition, Dr. Hoe testified it was difficult to pinpoint an exact time of death or dismemberment — a gap defense attorneys have signaled they may exploit at trial.
Years of Messages
Detective Corey Fel testified about an extensive digital extraction from Burke’s phone and iCloud account, describing thousands of messages between Burke and Celeste dating back to when she was 11. According to testimony, the two allegedly began a sexual relationship when she was 13, and text exchanges referenced a pregnancy, an abortion, and a plan the two called “Operation Awesome” to move her into Burke’s home. Because some material qualified as child sexual abuse imagery, it was not shown publicly; instead, Fel described the content verbally under prosecutors’ questioning. Defense attorneys did not dispute the authenticity of the messages but argued mistake-of-age is not a viable legal defense in this case regardless.
The Final Night
Detective Fel also read text messages prosecutors say were sent the night Celeste died, including a message reading “Gate open, door unlocked,” followed by Burke repeatedly texting her over several hours — “Where are you at?”, “Hello,” “bro” — with no further responses from Celeste after that point, according to the transcript. Prosecutors argue the messages show Burke staging an alibi. Defense attorneys have suggested alternative explanations remain possible, including that no proof exists of what actually occurred inside the home that night, since no surveillance footage has been identified.
The Fight Over Whether the Case Could Even Proceed
At the close of the preliminary hearing, defense attorney Miss Barkski moved to dismiss all charges, arguing prosecutors lacked evidence of premeditated malice, disputing that the killing fit lying-in-wait or financial-gain special circumstances, and noting Celeste’s threats were aimed at exposing Burke socially — never at contacting police. “The threats point the wrong way for the prosecution argument,” she told the court, according to the transcript. Prosecutors pushed back forcefully, arguing that no one calls 911, family or friends after stabbing someone by accident. The judge ultimately had to decide, based solely on probable cause standards, whether the case would move forward at all — a decision that would determine if Burke ever stood trial on these charges.
Where the Case Stands Today
The judge found sufficient cause to hold Burke for trial on charges including first-degree murder with special circumstances, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. He remains held without bail. Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Arraignment is scheduled for August 31, when formal charges will be read. Prosecutors have not announced whether they will seek the death penalty, and the district attorney’s office has said it would consider a plea offer. Legal analysts following the case note that prosecutors have said the preliminary hearing represented only “a fraction” of the evidence expected at trial.
