10 to Life
10 to Life
March 5, 2026

D4vd is Going DOWN, Anna Kepner’s Killer Gets Slap on the Wrist?, & Kouri Richins is The Worst

Quick Read

This episode delivers critical updates on three high-profile true crime cases: the alleged murder by musician D4vd, the charging of Anna Kepner's stepbrother as a minor, and the ongoing trial of Kouri Richins for her husband's fentanyl poisoning.
Musician D4vd is the official target in Celeste Hernandez's murder, with her dismembered body found in two bags.
Anna Kepner's 16-year-old stepbrother faces homicide charges as a minor, raising concerns about potential leniency.
Kouri Richins' trial reveals testimony of her purchasing illicit fentanyl before her husband's death, who died with five times a lethal dose.

Summary

The podcast provides significant updates across multiple true crime cases. In the Celeste Hernandez case, musician D4vd (David Anthony Burke) is now the official target of a grand jury, accused of murder, with court documents confirming Celeste's body was dismembered and found in two separate cadaver bags. For Anna Kepner, her 16-year-old stepbrother has been charged as a minor with homicide and an additional redacted crime, sparking debate about the leniency of juvenile sentencing. Finally, the Kouri Richins murder trial began, revealing testimony that she allegedly poisoned her husband Eric with five times the lethal dose of illicit fentanyl, with a housekeeper testifying to purchasing 'Michael Jackson stuff' (fentanyl) for Richins prior to Eric's death. The episode also covers the strange reappearance of Michelle Hunley Smith 24 years after vanishing, only to be arrested for an old DWI warrant.
These updates provide crucial clarity and new evidence in ongoing, complex true crime investigations. The D4vd case now has an official target and confirmation of gruesome details, while the Anna Kepner case highlights the legal complexities of juvenile charges in severe crimes. The Kouri Richins trial reveals direct testimony linking her to illicit drug purchases, strengthening the prosecution's case. The Michelle Hunley Smith story offers a rare resolution to a decades-old missing person case, albeit with an unexpected twist.

Takeaways

  • D4vd (David Anthony Burke) is officially named as the target of a grand jury investigation into Celeste Hernandez's murder.
  • Celeste Hernandez's body was confirmed dismembered and found in two separate cadaver bags, with severe decomposition.
  • Anna Kepner's 16-year-old stepbrother is charged as a minor with homicide and an additional redacted crime (possibly sexual).
  • Kouri Richins' trial began, with prosecutors alleging she poisoned her husband Eric with five times the lethal amount of illicit fentanyl.
  • A former housekeeper testified that Kouri Richins asked her to buy 'Michael Jackson stuff' (fentanyl) four times, three before Eric's death.
  • Michelle Hunley Smith, missing for 24 years, was found alive and well but subsequently arrested for a decades-old DWI warrant.

Insights

1D4vd Officially Targeted in Celeste Hernandez Murder Investigation

Newly released court documents from Texas confirm that musician David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, is the 'official target' of a grand jury investigating the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Hernandez. The documents allege his involvement and state Celeste 'may have been a victim of foul play.' Her body was found severely decomposed and dismembered in two separate cadaver bags in the frunk of a Tesla registered to D4vd.

Over 150 court documents unintentionally released by the state of Texas, stemming from D4vd's parents fighting subpoenas, explicitly name him as the target and detail the condition of Celeste's remains.

2Anna Kepner's Stepbrother Charged as Minor, Redacted Crime Suspected

The 16-year-old stepbrother of Anna Kepner has officially been charged as a minor with her homicide and an additional, redacted crime. This development came to light through filings in an unrelated custody battle. The redaction has led to speculation that the additional charge could be sexually related, given rumored infatuation and inappropriate behavior previously mentioned by Anna's ex-boyfriend.

Court filings from an ongoing custody battle between Anna's stepmom and her ex-husband revealed the charges. The stepbrother was the last person seen with Anna and was found going in and out of their shared cabin the night of her death.

3Kouri Richins Trial Reveals Fentanyl Poisoning and Drug Purchases

The trial for Kouri Richins, accused of murdering her husband Eric, commenced with prosecutors stating she poisoned him with five times the lethal amount of illicit fentanyl for financial gain. A key witness, Carmen, the former housekeeper, testified that Richins asked her to purchase drugs, specifically 'Michael Jackson stuff' (believed to be fentanyl), on four occasions—three before Eric's death and one after. Carmen also stated she buried the pills at an investment property owned by Richins due to discomfort.

Prosecutor's opening statements, medical examiner's autopsy confirming lethal fentanyl levels, and Carmen's testimony regarding drug purchases and a $1,300 check from Richins for 'construction cleaning' that Carmen stated was not for actual cleaning.

4Michelle Hunley Smith Found After 24 Years, Arrested for Old DWI

Michelle Hunley Smith, who vanished in 2001, was located alive and well in February 2026. She claimed to have left due to domestic issues, though no police reports supported this. Days after being found, she was arrested, not for her disappearance, but for an active 2001 DWI warrant issued after she failed to appear in court weeks after her initial disappearance.

Law enforcement locating her after 24 years, her statement about domestic issues, and the active 2001 DWI warrant leading to her arrest.

Lessons

  • Follow the '10 to Life' podcast for ongoing updates on the Kouri Richins trial and other true crime cases.
  • Listen to the deep dive episode on Kouri Richins on the '10 to Life' feed to understand the full context of her alleged financial motives and actions.
  • Consider the ethical implications of familial support in criminal cases, particularly when a minor is accused of a severe crime, as discussed in the Anna Kepner case.

Notable Moments

The hosts' extensive discussion and 'hot take' on the FX/Hulu 'Love Story' documentary about JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, with one host finding Carolyn 'problematic' and 'invasive at work.'

This segment provides a glimpse into the hosts' personal interests and conversational style, offering a break from the heavy true crime topics and revealing their individual opinions on historical figures portrayed in media.

The hosts' strong condemnation of Kouri Richins for allegedly exploiting her children's grief by writing a children's book about loss after allegedly murdering their father.

This highlights the hosts' moral stance and personal outrage regarding the perceived narcissism and audacity of Richins' actions, framing her as 'the worst' and 'sick.'

Quotes

"

"David is quote the official target of this grand jury. He's listed as the target on the cover page. He's listed as a target throughout the filings and it's pretty clear that he's the person that they're going after here."

Annie Eliss
"

"Her body was confirmed to be dismembered, but it was also confirmed to have been put in two separate cadaver bags. One bag had her head and torso and the other bag had her arms and legs."

Annie Eliss
"

"The state said that Corey was in major amounts of debt and that she murdered her husband knowing that she would inherit millions of dollars from his business. Also, because she knew that she would get another $2 million from his life insurance policies."

Annie Eliss
"

"Carmen testified that Corey had asked her to buy drugs for her four different times. Three times before Eric died and one time after. Now, at first, Carmen said that it was just pain pills. But then she said Corey wanted something stronger. She said that Corey specifically even used the phrase, 'I want the Michael Jackson stuff.'"

Annie Eliss
"

"I think she is a money-hungry person. That is my opinion. I think that she saw this as a quick payday. She was sick of her husband. She wanted all the money. I think then she exploited her own children by writing this children's book about grief..."

Annie Eliss

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