Fame Under Fire: The Tupac Murder Trial

Nearly 30 years after Tupac Shakur was fatally shot on the Las Vegas Strip, Nevada prosecutors are preparing for the trial of the only person ever charged in connection with the rapper’s death.

Duane “Keffe D” Davis has pleaded not guilty to murder and denies the allegations against him.

But Keffe D is not accused of firing the fatal shots. So how can prosecutors seek to convict him of murder? And why was he arrested in 2023, decades after investigators first suspected he was in the car?

Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and Fame under Fire’s resident trial attorney Shaun Kent break down everything you need to know before the trial. Could Suge Knight testify? Could Sean “Diddy” Combs be drawn into the case?

For Fame Under Fire: The Tupac Murder Trial Anoushka will be in the Las Vegas courtoom every day to bring you updates. Make sure you lock in so you don’t miss a thing.
Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Louise Clarke
Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart Smith
Digital Journalist: Daniel Raza
Researcher: Helena Warwick-Cross
Production coordinator: Phoebe Lomas
Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards
Editor: Clare Fordham
Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland
Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Fame Under Fire’s resident trial attorney Shaun Kent talks to Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty about the legal questions raised by the D4vd preliminary hearing.

Includes some disturbing content that some listeners and viewers may find distressing.

Shaun and Anoushka examine possible strategies the defence could use at trial and whether D4vd could enter a plea.

The singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, is charged with murder, unlawful dismemberment and continuous sexual abuse of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was found decomposing in the front trunk of a Tesla linked to him.

David has pleaded not guilty and denies all charges.

If you’ve been affected by anything in this episode and you’re in the UK, details of organisations that can provide help and support are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.

Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Louise Clarke
Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart Smith
Digital Journalist: Leona Gasper
Researcher: Helena Warwick-Cross
Production coordinator: Phoebe Lomas
Technical Producer: Cameron Ward
Editor: Clare Fordham
Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland
Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

D4vd is ordered to stand trial for murder after a judge finds probable cause on all charges and three special circumstances.

The court hears closing arguments over the final text messages, the alleged timeline of Celeste’s death and the strength of the forensic evidence.

Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty is joined by reporter Sam Mulick, who has been inside court throughout the hearing.

There are graphic descriptions and disturbing content that some listeners and viewers may find distressing.

Fame Under Fire brings you the latest from inside the Los Angeles courtroom at the D4vd preliminary hearing. The singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, is charged with murder, unlawful dismemberment and continuous sexual abuse of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was found decomposing in the front trunk of a Tesla linked to him.

D4vd has pleaded not guilty and denies all charges.
If you’ve been affected by anything in this episode and you’re in the UK, details of organisations that can provide help and support are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.
Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Louise Clarke
Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart Smith
Digital Journalist: Daniel Raza
Researcher: Helena Warwick-Cross
Production coordinator: Phoebe Lomas
Technical Producer: Cameron Ward
Editor: Clare Fordham
Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland
Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty is joined by reporter Sam Mulick, who explains the medical examiner’s findings, sexually explicit material allegedly recovered from D4vd’s phone, messages about Celeste’s pregnancy and abortion, and plans for her to leave her family home.
This programme contains graphic descriptions, references to child sexual abuse and other disturbing content that some listeners may find distressing.
Fame Under Fire brings you the latest from inside the Los Angeles courtroom at the D4vd preliminary hearing. The singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, is charged with murder, unlawful dismemberment and continuous sexual abuse of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was found decomposing in the front trunk of a Tesla linked to him.
David Burke has pleaded not guilty and denies all charges.
Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Louise Clarke
Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart Smith
Digital Journalist: Leona Gasper
Researcher: Helena Warwick-Cross
Production coordinator: Phoebe Lomas
Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards
Editor: Clare Fordham
Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland
Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

DNA consistent with Celeste is found at 11 locations in D4vd’s Tesla and garage, as the court hears initial evidence from the medical examiner’s office.

There are some graphic descriptions and disturbing content that some listeners and viewers may find distressing.

Fame Under Fire brings you the latest from inside the Los Angeles courtroom at the D4vd preliminary hearing. The singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, is charged with murder, unlawful dismemberment and continuous sexual abuse of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was found decomposing in the front trunk of a Tesla linked to him.

Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty is joined by reporter Sam Mulick, who explains the DNA evidence, the examination of a cut inflatable pool and the records tracking a phone and Tesla to Santa Barbara.

David Burke has pleaded not guilty and denies all charges.
Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Louise Clarke
Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart Smith
Digital Journalist: Leona Gasper
Researcher: Helena Warwick-Cross
Production coordinator: Phoebe Lomas
Technical Producer: Cameron Ward
Editor: Clare Fordham
Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland
Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts