SF INVESTIGATES • STEVE FISCHER

Steve Fischer - Missing Persons Private Investigator • Search and Rescue Team Member • FAA Commercial Licensed Aircraft & SAR Drone Pilot • NASAR SARTECH • EMT

[SF INVESTIGATES • STEVE FISCHER @SF_investigates]

A few months ago I was involved in a case of a 14 year old missing female (I'll call her "HC"). After 30+ days and as the FBI was getting involved I found her and the adult that was harboring her. There was a large police presence and when we got to the LASD station she turned to me and said "who the f##k are you?" She was not a fan of me. She was facing some internal demons and was going down a very destructive path. I left right after for recurrent training at the police academy in Fresno, but i heard she was being sent to a lockdown facility in Reno. After about a week in Fresno i remember very clearly being live on @TGlarer show with another investigator and Layla Santanello's father and stepmother. During the show I got a text saying "HC" had jumped out of car on the way to the airport and was on the run again. The next day i raced back to LA and started searching for her. I worked very closely with her aunt, Mia. I was also working with the FBI this time. About two weeks later I was doing surveillance and Mia happened to be with me. We spotted "HC" with some others and tailed them to a mall. I called the @LASDHQ and 5 or 6 units arrived. The deputies told me they were not going to put hands on her or chase her if she ran but I could approach her and they would back me up if anything went south. I went into the store and stepped in front of "HC" and I told her to look over my shoulder and see all the deputies and her aunt. She recognized me from the last time. She broke down and started crying. The deputies called their crisis team but otherwise kept their distance. I took "HC" outside and we sat by a fountain with her aunt and talked for 3 hours. She explained what she was going through and how she wasn't being heard and feared going to the lockdown facility. I told her if she would agree to a 72 hr hold i would fight on her behalf to find a non lockdown facility, but I needed 72 hours to make it happen. She agreed. 72 hours turned into 10 days but Mia and myself worked nonstop and we finally got her placed at a facility called Newport Academy which specializes in teens. I made her promise me that if she felt like she was going to run from the facility she would first call me to talk about it. She called me 6 or 7 times over two months and she stayed each time. Mia and I would go visit her regularly. While she was in Newport Academy I was at Mia's once and noticed this beautiful sunflower in Mia's garden. Mia cut it down and gave it to me with a note that said "i give a sunflower because I got my sunflower back" and i cherished that and shared the story with "HC" during a visit. A decision was made that once she graduated from Newport Academy "HC" would go live with family in Montana, to escape some of her triggers in Southern California. Yesterday after 47 days she completed Newport Academy and Mia and I met "HC" and her dad and her brother at a restaurant on her way to the airport from the academy. I wanted to see her to tell her how proud I was of her. When I got to the restaurant "HC" gave me a painting she made for me while she was at Newport Academy - a painting of the sunflower. She thanked me for finding her and helping her and not giving up on her. Mia made me a beaded sunflower to go with it. Yesterday was one of the best days I have ever had.

[SF INVESTIGATES • STEVE FISCHER @SF_investigates]

Today, I hope we hear more about the blood evidence in the case. In a filed brief, the prosecution said that #D4vd watched Celeste bleed out. I hope we learn where they allege this happened and whether that statement is based on wiretap evidence or a witness account. I also hope we learn where her body was kept during those 12 days.

There was testimony about drops of blood found on mats in the garage, but that could potentially have been transferred from tools, so the context and forensic interpretation of that evidence will be important. Reports from some people inside the courtroom yesterday seemed to suggest that blood evidence was also found on the ground beneath the red Tesla in the garage. If that is accurate, why was the red Tesla not seized for forensic testing?

I also hope we learn more about who knew what had happened and failed to come forward. Based on the first day of testimony, it appears Rob may have known and kept David’s secret. Who else knew?

Unfortunately, we may not get a complete answer about who knew what until trial because the prosecution has no reason to disclose its entire case at the preliminary hearing. Still, we may get clues through other testimony, just as we did with Rob.

Now that the prosecution has laid the foundation for a possible financial motive, I expect the remaining testimony to focus more directly on the timeline of the killing itself.

Justice for Celeste. #CelesteRivasHernandez

[SF INVESTIGATES • STEVE FISCHER @SF_investigates]

@WhiteboyRadio @PuPpYLaDiEEe Thanks man!

[SF INVESTIGATES • STEVE FISCHER @SF_investigates]

@elmhurstnyc I have questioned this also. I don't agree with what appears to be the prosecutions theory.

[SF INVESTIGATES • STEVE FISCHER @SF_investigates]

In what I believe was key testimony from yesterday’s transcript of the #D4vd preliminary hearing, financial adviser Benjamin Greger changed his grand jury testimony and acknowledged that he asked manager Rob Morganroth exactly what had happened after a body was found in David's Tesla.

Greger’s answer was not entirely clear, and for some reason Beth Silverman did not attempt to clarify it. However, he testified, “He did tell me, yes.”

Shortly after that conversation, Greger began coordinating with #D4vd’s mother to raise $2 million for bail in anticipation of his arrest.

Based on that testimony, and the perceived need for bail money, I believe it is reasonable to infer that Morganroth knew Celeste was murdered and David would be the suspect.

#CelesteRivasHernandez

[SF INVESTIGATES • STEVE FISCHER @SF_investigates]

The time has come. The preliminary hearing in the #D4vd case begins tomorrow.

It is time for the prosecution to lay out its evidence and step on the neck of David Anthony Burke who I believe is responsible for one of the most horrific crimes in history.

There are several issues I will be watching closely. First, what is the context behind the prosecution’s statement that David watched Celeste “bleed out”? To me, that suggests there may have been a witness, some form of surveillance, or that David allegedly confessed this detail to someone who did not report it and kept his secret.

Second, where was Celeste’s body during the 12 days between the date prosecutors contend she was killed and she was dismembered That part of the timeline does not yet make sense to me, and I am very interested in seeing how the prosecution establishes it.

I also want to know what conversations took place after the news broke that David’s Tesla had been found with the body of a young girl inside. At the time, he was on tour. Aysia was with him. Neo had been with him. His management team was either traveling with him or in regular contact with him. What did they ask him, and what did he tell them? Or did any of them already know?

Who was staying at the house when the Tesla was towed with Celeste’s body inside? More importantly, who remained there until the night before the search warrant was served? We know from a noise complaint that someone was reportedly at the residence the night before the search. Why were they staying there? What was their understanding of why the Tesla had been parked a block away while Aysia’s vehicle remained in front of the house from the time they left for the tour until after the search warrant was served?

Did anyone receive immunity? If so, we may not hear from that witness during the preliminary hearing, but other testimony may allow us to read between the lines.

Finally, at the arraignment, David’s attorneys said the evidence would show that he was not responsible for Celeste’s death. If that is their position, how do they contend she died, and who do they claim was responsible?

In my opinion, David Anthony Burke is no longer fighting for his freedom. His fight is between the death penalty or a plea for life in prison without the possibility of parole.

This is all my opinion, but I am here for justice for #CelesteRivasHernandez and

[SF INVESTIGATES • STEVE FISCHER @SF_investigates]

@FreeDom1284306 You show a complete lack of understanding of the US Constitution. This is literally the 6th Amendment. My lord what a stupid statement.

[SF INVESTIGATES • STEVE FISCHER @SF_investigates]

The court is allowing only 10 members of the public into the preliminary hearing in the #D4vd case. That is outrageous and not how public access to the courts should work.

There is supposed to be a reasonable balance between seating for the press and seating for the public. This is a large courtroom, yet only 10 seats are being made available to the public. Her family has not appeared previously and they could be called as witnesses so they shouldn't be in the gallery anyway, so they are not being held for that purpose. Not to mention they are not allowing cameras even for the testimony that doesn't include CP.

Documents have been sealed throughout the case, and now access to the courtroom is being severely restricted. At this point, it feels as though they are making up their own rules. #d4vd #celesterivashernandez

[SF INVESTIGATES • STEVE FISCHER @SF_investigates]

@FreeDom1284306 this is the stupidest statement on twitter. That's not easy to accomplish.

[SF INVESTIGATES • STEVE FISCHER @SF_investigates]

While on a search today on Mount Charleston in Las Vegas, it was 108 degrees in the city, but we were high enough up in the mountains just 30 min away that there was still snow in the mountains crevices. #SAR #Mtcharleston #lasvegas

[SF INVESTIGATES • STEVE FISCHER @SF_investigates]

Arriving in Nevada for a search in the wilderness area just outside of Las Vegas. #SAR #missingperson

[SF INVESTIGATES • STEVE FISCHER @SF_investigates]

@TrueCrime_Inc Ok thanks. I have never heard of the person.

[SF INVESTIGATES • STEVE FISCHER @SF_investigates]

Sally Grace Contarino is still missing from Las Vegas. Sally is visiting from Australia and missed her flight home on June 21st and has not been in contact with friends or family. If you have any information please contact Las Vegas Metro Police Dept. #sallycontarino

[SF INVESTIGATES • STEVE FISCHER @SF_investigates]

@IzzyZombieGamez I have but I can't comment on that case at the moment.

[SF INVESTIGATES • STEVE FISCHER @SF_investigates]

I’m on my way to Nevada for a day of search and rescue training. Then I am heading home for a few days. It’s been a few months since I’ve spent a few days at home and I’m looking forward to it.

[SF INVESTIGATES • STEVE FISCHER @SF_investigates]

A motion filed in the #D4vd case reveals that the investigative grand jury met on 17 separate days.

We are now only 10 days away from the preliminary hearing, and I look forward to hearing the witness testimony. We are also 10 days away from #D4vd understanding he will never experience freedom again for as long as he lives.

At the status conference, the prosecutor said the preliminary hearing is expected to last no more than three days. That means the prosecution will likely call only the witnesses and present only the evidence needed to establish probable cause, perhaps with a little extra to show David Burke the strength of the case against him.

I am particularly interested in whether anyone from David’s management team or Neo will testify. I have no information indicating whether they will be called at the preliminary hearing or held for a possible trial.

My personal opinion is that this case will not ultimately go to trial. I believe he will accept a plea shortly before the scheduled trial date, preventing many of the most gruesome details from ever being disclosed publicly. #CelesteRivasHernandez