Mladen Trifunovic, the landlord of the property that Burke was renting for a hefty $20,000 monthly fee, has enlisted the help of private investigator Steve Fischer. Trifunovic’s goal is to uncover the mystery surrounding activities within his home.
The decision to hire Fischer came on the heels of a forced-entry search warrant executed by law enforcement. During the search, no one was present, and authorities left no documentation to specify the objects of their search or items confiscated. Fischer’s role is to supplement law enforcement efforts, ensuring no stone is left unturned in the ongoing investigation into Celeste’s disappearance.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Celeste had been deceased for several weeks before her body was discovered in Burke’s Tesla. Fischer, having reviewed surveillance footage from neighboring properties, has identified the exact time the Tesla was last moved and by whom. However, he remains tight-lipped about this information for now.
Burke’s Tesla, once his everyday vehicle, was kept in pristine condition, with regular cleanings both inside and out. But by the time it was towed, the car was in a neglected state, showing signs of both dirt and physical damage.
Fischer describes the vehicle’s condition as if it had been driven “off-road” through the desert, with noticeable wear to the wheel wells and a significant dent in the rear. Despite the abandonment of his former vehicle on the curb, Burke maintained another Tesla—a clean, red model—in the garage.
Surveillance systems in the Hollywood Hills provide a comprehensive timeline, capturing the precise moment Burke’s Tesla was parked on Bluebird Avenue, the identity of the person who parked it, and whether any items were placed inside after it was parked.
There is also no evidence indicating Celeste’s body was transferred into the Tesla AFTER it was parked on the street.
Joining Nancy Grace today:
Additional Guest
- Rob Shuter – Host: Naughty But Nice Podcast, Author of Upcoming Novel, “It Started With A Whisper.” and Former Publicist of Sean Combs; IG: @naughtygossip
“Crime Stories with Nancy Grace” on Fox Nation is also a national radio show on SiriusXM channel 111, airing for two hours daily starting at 12 p.m. EST. You can also subscribe and download the daily podcasts at iHeart Podcasts.
[Feature Photo: Celeste Rivas/GoFundMe and D4vd/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP]
