D4VD and the Murder of Celeste Hernandez | Hoppy Thoughts Podcast | Episode #36

He built a career out of a video game. He became a star before graduating high school. And two days after prosecutors believe he killed a 14-year-old girl, he released his debut album.

This week, we're covering one of the most disturbing cases in recent true crime memory — the story of David Burke, known to millions as D4vd, the homeschooled Houston teenager who went viral on TikTok, signed to Interscope Records, and performed at Coachella. And the story of Celeste Abigail Rivas Hernandez, a girl from Lake Elsinore who first met him online when she was 11 years old, had his name tattooed on her finger, and was reported missing twice before her remains were found in the frunk of his abandoned Tesla — one day before what would have been her 15th birthday.

We walk through the full timeline: how a Fortnite copyright problem accidentally launched one of the most talked-about music careers of his generation, how a relationship with a child was allegedly maintained across years, states, and two separate phones — and what prosecutors say happened the night of April 23rd, 2025.

Then we close out by putting Chet to the test — BAR exam style. Multiple choice questions, video game law edition. Can he pass the bar?

David Burke has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. All charges reflect prosecutorial claims and publicly available court documents.