Forensic Tales

In this special episode of Forensic Tales, we examine the forensic case against recording artist D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, following his five-day preliminary hearing.

Fourteen-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found dead inside the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke in September 2025. During the hearing, prosecutors presented autopsy findings, DNA evidence, suspected bloodstains, a damaged inflatable pool, chainsaw purchases, Tesla location records and thousands of messages recovered from Burke’s phone and iCloud account.

We also examine the limitations raised by his defense, including questions about evidence collection, DNA transfer, presumptive blood testing, the unidentified murder weapon and whether the digital evidence proves who was driving the Tesla.

A judge ultimately determined that prosecutors presented sufficient probable cause for the case to proceed to trial. Burke has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Content warning: This episode discusses the death and alleged sexual abuse of a minor. Some graphic details have been omitted.

 

Episode sources:

Los Angeles County District Attorney:

https://da.lacounty.gov/media/news/d4vd-ordered-stand-trial-murdering-dismembering-14-year-old-girl

Associated Press:

https://apnews.com/article/65647a24c7808bebc0b6ff9040f50615

ABC7 Los Angeles:

https://abc7.com/post/d4vd-murder-case-singers-lawyers-ask-more-dna-testing-wasnt-done-chain-saws-car-celeste-rivas-hernandez-killing/19564190/

For more episodes and information, visit:

https://forensictales.com

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In May 1947, newlywed Christina Kettlewell traveled to a remote cottage in Severn Falls, Ontario, with her husband, Jack, and his close friend Ronald Berry.

Three days later, the cottage was destroyed by fire, Jack was found unconscious, and Christina’s body was discovered face down in only nine inches of water.

An autopsy determined that Christina had drowned, but the forensic evidence raised more questions than answers. Why were there no burns or significant injuries on her body? What role did the codeine found in her stomach play? And why did the accounts provided by the two men closest to her seem to conflict with the physical evidence?

This special preview introduces the mysterious death of Christina Kettlewell, also known as the Eight-Day Bride.

The complete episode—including the alleged love triangle, missing money, insurance policies, purported suicide notes, coroner’s inquest, and competing theories—is available now as July’s bonus episode on Patreon and through Apple Podcasts subscriptions.

Support the show and listen to the complete bonus episode:

Patreon: patreon.com/forensictales

You can also subscribe directly through the Forensic Tales page in the Apple Podcasts app.
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On January 4, 2001, successful Seattle-area real estate agent Mike Emert left to meet a prospective buyer at a vacant home in Woodinville, Washington. Just hours later, he was found stabbed 19 times inside the home's bathtub with the shower and sinks still running in what investigators believed was a calculated attempt to destroy forensic evidence.

In this episode, we examine the meticulous crime scene, the forensic evidence recovered from Mike's abandoned Cadillac Escalade, and the years-long investigation that led detectives to believe they were looking at a professional hit rather than a robbery or crime of passion. We also explore the DNA breakthrough that linked Gary Krueger to the case more than a decade later, why that discovery came too late to question the suspect, and how Mike's murder forever changed safety practices for real estate agents across Washington.

If you have any information regarding the murder of Mike Emert, please contact the King County Sheriff's Office.

Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production. The show is written & produced by Courtney Fretwell. If you'd like to submit a case, please email courtney@forensictales.com.

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Support the show by subscribing, leaving a rating and review, and sharing this episode with others interested in forensic science and true crime.

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W

Hey everyone! Courtney here.

I have a little bonus for you today. Since Forensic Tales is part of the Believe Podcast Network, I wanted to introduce you to another podcast on the network that I think some of you might enjoy.

Today's episode is from Til Death Do Us Part, and it's called "The Body in the Clearing: Harry Crawford and Annie Burkett."

To friends and neighbors, he seemed like an ordinary husband. But when his wife, Annie Birkett, vanished without a trace, a shocking investigation uncovered secrets no one saw coming.

Don't worry—this isn't taking the place of a Forensic Tales episode. I'll still be back with a brand-new episode on Monday. Until then, I hope you enjoy this one!

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the Til Death Do Us Part Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

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For more than four decades, she was known simply as "Orange Socks." Found murdered along Interstate 35 in Georgetown, Texas, in 1979, the young woman remained unidentified despite extensive investigative efforts. Her case appeared to be solved when serial killer Henry Lee Lucas confessed to her murder—but as the years passed, serious doubts emerged about whether his confession could be trusted.

In this episode of Forensic Tales, we examine the forensic evidence, the investigation that led to one of America's most controversial serial killer confessions, and the DNA technology that finally identified Orange Socks as Debra Jackson more than 40 years after her death. We also explore the remaining forensic evidence that could one day identify the person truly responsible for her murder.

In this episode, we discuss:

The discovery of Orange Socks Doe

The autopsy and forensic examination

Early investigative theories

Henry Lee Lucas and his controversial confession

False confessions and the importance of corroborating evidence

DNA analysis and investigative genetic genealogy

Debra Jackson's identification

The remaining mystery surrounding her killer

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review—it helps more people discover the show.

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For a complete list of sources used in this episode, visit our website.

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Website: https://www.forensictales.com

Have a case suggestion or feedback?
courtney@forensictales.com

Thank you for listening to Forensic Tales.

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