Los Angeles County DA Nathan Hochman announced charges against David Anthony Burke—D4VD—that represent the most serious criminal exposure available under California law. First-degree murder with three special circumstances: lying in wait, murder for financial gain, and killing a witness. Additional charges include continuous sexual acts and lewd acts with an individual under 14, and mutilation of human remains.

Prosecutors allege Celeste Rivas Hernandez, 14, arrived at D4VD’s Hollywood Hills residence on April 23, 2025 and was never heard from again. Her dismembered remains were discovered five months later in a Tesla registered to the singer.

Criminal defense attorney Bob Motta joins Tony Brueski and Robin Dreeke to dissect the charging strategy. The financial gain allegation is specific: the DA stated D4VD allegedly killed Celeste to protect his music career because she was “threatening” it. That means prosecutors believe they can prove a 14-year-old girl was killed because she was a liability to someone’s brand. Motta examines what evidence that theory requires and whether it can survive scrutiny.

The “killing a witness” special circumstance is directly tied to the sexual abuse charges—the prosecution’s theory is that the underage relationship created the motive for murder. Motta explains how layering those charges together compounds the legal exposure exponentially.

The episode also addresses the evidentiary challenge created by five months of decomposition, the DA’s stated confidence in physical, forensic, and digital evidence, and what it takes for a circumstantial case to carry death-penalty-eligible charges.

A detailed legal breakdown of the charges, the evidence, and the prosecution’s theory of this case.

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A pop star. A reality TV family dynasty. A worship pastor who auditioned for American Idol. Three men who allegedly committed devastating acts against the most vulnerable people in their lives — and each one operated behind a platform that gave them audiences, credibility, and time.

D4vd — arrested on suspicion of murdering fourteen-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose dismembered body was found in his Tesla. She had been reported missing three times. He allegedly began an online relationship with her when she was twelve. He is held without bail. No charges have been formally filed; the case awaits the DA’s filing decision. His defense maintains he did not cause her death.

Joseph Duggar — charged with lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under twelve in Florida after allegedly molesting a nine-year-old on a family beach vacation and reportedly confessing twice before arrest. Out on six hundred thousand dollars bond. He and wife Kendra also face Arkansas charges of child endangerment and false imprisonment. He has pleaded not guilty.

Caleb Flynn — indicted on eleven charges including aggravated murder in the killing of his wife Ashley. Prosecutors say he shot her in bed, staged a fake burglary, and called 911 performing a grieving husband. Two young daughters in the house. Bond set at three and a half million. Trial set for May 4. He has pleaded not guilty.

Robin Dreeke and Tony Brueski take your listener questions across all three cases and examine the evidence, the behavioral patterns, and the systems that allegedly failed every victim in these stories.

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According to prosecutors, about two weeks before Sandra Birchmore was found dead, Matthew Farwell told a coworker that the “problem” he was dealing with was going to take care of itself. Prosecutors believe that problem was Sandra — pregnant, consulting attorneys, and increasingly willing to use what she knew about Farwell’s alleged crimes to protect herself and her unborn child.

In April 2026 filings opposing Farwell’s bail request, the prosecution revealed that his DNA was found on the duffel bag strap tied around Birchmore’s neck — the ligature prosecutors call the murder weapon. His sperm cells were found in the underwear she was wearing at the time of death, contradicting his claim to investigators that they were last intimate in 2020. Prosecutors call this a provable lie that demonstrates consciousness of guilt.

The prosecution also dismantled the original state investigation. Within an hour of discovering Birchmore’s body, local officers told the medical examiner there was no foul play. Canton police misidentified the ligature as a scarf. No DNA sample was compelled from Farwell. No electronic devices were seized. Investigators let him keep his cellphone for days. His twin brother William was told no one was in trouble. The case was closed within months. As prosecutors wrote: at no point was Farwell seriously considered a suspect.

Farwell has lost every pre-trial motion — venue change denied, dismissal denied. His defense team’s bail filing accidentally appeared to name William Farwell as the father of Birchmore’s unborn child before being hastily amended. The biological father has not been publicly identified. Birchmore’s family is now seeking a no-contact order after defense investigators visited her cousin’s apartment unannounced.

Trial begins October 5, 2026 in federal court in Boston. If convicted, Farwell faces life. Hidden Killers has the full breakdown.

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