Mystery Man Buys D4vd’s Tesla as Other Teen Girls Surface in Case | Celeste Rivas Hernandez Update
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖The LAPD reportedly released D4VD's Tesla, a key crime scene, after only two days of processing, allowing it to be purchased by an unknown individual before public auction.
- ❖Private investigator Steve Fischer found a burn cage and dismemberment tools in D4VD's rented home that the LAPD allegedly did not seize during their raid.
- ❖The LAPD failed to secure crucial surveillance footage from a neighbor's house that directly overlooked D4VD's residence, which was subsequently lost due to a system upgrade.
- ❖Celeste's medical examiner's report remains under a court-ordered security hold at the LAPD's request, a move publicly criticized by the medical examiner's office for hindering transparency.
- ❖Unsealed court records confirm D4VD is a target in a grand jury premeditated murder investigation, revealing Celeste's body was found dismembered in two separate bags.
- ❖Two other minor girls reportedly presented photographic evidence of sexual involvement with D4VD to the LAPD, but the department allegedly showed no interest in pursuing sex crime charges.
- ❖The host and guest express outrage over the lack of charges in Celeste's case seven months later and the perceived 'hide the ball' tactics by law enforcement.
Insights
1Alleged Mishandling of the Tesla Crime Scene
The LAPD reportedly processed D4VD's Tesla, where Celeste's body was found, for only two days before releasing it back to an impound lot. The vehicle was subsequently purchased by an unidentified individual with a cashier's check and power of attorney on the eve of its public auction, raising questions about the preservation of crucial evidence.
Host Ashleigh Banfield and PI Steve Fischer state the LAPD kept the car for two days, then it went to impound, accumulated $9600 in fees, and was bought by a 'mystery man' with power of attorney before auction. Steve Fischer later located the car at a body repair shop.
2Overlooked Evidence at Suspect's Residence
Private investigator Steve Fischer discovered a burn cage and a chainsaw, which could be used for dismemberment, in D4VD's rented home after the LAPD had already raided and supposedly seized evidence. These items were not taken into evidence by the police.
Steve Fischer recounts finding a burn cage in a box and a chainsaw in the house David was renting, which the LAPD had not seized during their raid, despite Celeste's body later being confirmed dismembered.
3Failure to Secure Critical Surveillance Footage
LAPD detectives were informed by neighbors across from D4VD's rented home about surveillance cameras pointed directly at the suspect's entrance. Despite this, the police allegedly never returned to collect the footage before the system underwent a scheduled upgrade, leading to the permanent loss of potentially vital video evidence.
Steve Fischer details how detectives visited the neighbor's property, were told about the cameras and an upcoming system upgrade, but never followed up to collect the 4-terabyte drive of footage, which was then lost.
4Sealing of Medical Examiner's Report and Lack of Transparency
Celeste's cause and manner of death, along with toxicology reports, are under a court-ordered security hold at the LAPD's request. The Medical Examiner's office publicly criticized this decision as 'virtually unheard of' and detrimental to justice, while the LAPD's initial press releases were allegedly misleading regarding the nature of the crime.
The host discusses the security hold on the medical examiner's records, the medical examiner's public criticism, and the LAPD's initial press release suggesting only 'concealment of a body' (a misdemeanor) before dismemberment was confirmed.
5Alleged Disregard for Other Minor Victims
Two other minor girls reportedly approached the LAPD with photographic evidence of sexual involvement with D4VD. However, the police allegedly showed no interest in investigating these potential sex crimes, focusing solely on the murder investigation.
Steve Fischer states two minors came to him, one with 'tons of photo evidence' of romantic involvement with David, and despite her reporting this to law enforcement, 'they're not prosecuting a sex crime.'
6Premeditated Murder Investigation and Dismemberment Details
Unsealed court records confirm D4VD is a target in a grand jury investigation for premeditated murder. These documents also revealed the gruesome details of Celeste's body being found dismembered, with her head and torso in one cadaver bag and her arms and legs in a separate black bag.
The host and Steve Fischer discuss unsealed court records from Texas, filed during the attempt to subpoena D4VD's family, which explicitly state a 'murder investigation' and detail the discovery of Celeste's dismembered body in two bags.
Lessons
- Demand greater transparency from law enforcement agencies, especially in high-profile cases involving minors, by questioning security holds on public records like medical examiner reports.
- Advocate for thorough and unbiased investigations, ensuring all potential evidence (e.g., surveillance footage, suspicious tools) is seized and preserved, regardless of initial perceived relevance.
- Pressure authorities to investigate all credible allegations of crimes, including sex crimes against minors, even if they appear secondary to a primary murder investigation, to protect vulnerable individuals.
Quotes
"So many possible charges here. Are they at least going for the low-hanging fruit? The LAPD, you know, being with a minor when you're not supposed to be in that way."
"I mean, the burn cage, there was a chainsaw, um, which is not needed at that house. The house came with gardeners and all that in and you just things that especially put even by themselves is sus suspicious enough but together you go knowing that there's a deceased girl that's been sitting in that Tesla is like wonder what the plans were."
"So, I think it means that he probably pled the fifth and that he was now he was there with council and council affirmed that he was representing him and uh I think that they use that as leverage to say, 'Listen, we're we're playing fifth. you want to work a deal, you know, offer offer us immunity of some sort, whatever whatever deal they're looking for.'"
"I don't know about you, but it's pretty hard to get the smell of a dead body out of a car. It doesn't matter what kind of a discount you're going to get on a Tesla. This thing was actually kind of beat up. I don't think this Tesla would have been worth anywhere close to $9,600, especially with the stench of a dead body."
"Everybody failed this girl it seems like in life and we can't fail her in death and it feels like that's happening seven months later we no charges."
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