Share and Follow
In the ongoing investigation into the death of Celeste Rivas, at least one witness has not been cooperating with authorities.
According to TMZ, Beth Silverman, the Deputy District Attorney of Los Angeles County, has filed for a “body attachment” for an unnamed female witness who did not appear for a scheduled deposition on Wednesday.
A judge had previously mandated that this witness provide testimony related to Celeste’s case, which is currently being investigated as a homicide.
Celeste was reportedly in a relationship with the singer D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke. Tragically, her body was discovered by police the day after her 15th birthday.
After the legal proceedings, Silverman expressed her intention to have the authorities detain the witness to ensure her appearance and testimony in court.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Los Angeles police found Celeste’s body on September 8, inside the Tesla registered to Burke. The vehicle had initially been parked near Burke’s former rental home, in the flourishing Bird Streets neighborhood, in Hollywood Hills.
Police found the vehicle at a tow yard in Hollywood after residents in the Hollywood Hills neighborhood contacted police about an abandoned car with a Texas license plate on September 6.
Although no arrests have been made, prosecutors brought the case before an investigative grand jury.
During a court hearing Monday, the prosecution pressed Burke’s manager, Robert Morgenrot, on why he never contacted police. Morgenroth reportedly said he had been trying to keep Burke’s tour going and didn’t think it was his obligation.
“She was very pushy on why I didn’t call police,” Morgenroth said outside the court Monday in Los Angeles, in reference to Silverman. “I said I feel like I didn’t have the responsibility to do that, and just wanted to continue with the tour.”
According to TMZ, Morgenroth served as Burke’s “day-to-day manager.” He’s also the president of Burke’s tour company, Zara Brothers Travel.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell appeared on Good Day LA, but declined to discuss specifics about the case.
“That’s a case I won’t talk about at this time because it’s an ongoing case. To do so would potentially jeopardize the case,” McDonnell said.
“There was some talk too about our request to keep the information confidential that the coroner was looking to release, and our goal there is not to impede transparency.”
“All of this will come out eventually anyway.”
Last month, a judge placed a security hold on the case barring details — including the cause and manner of death and the autopsy report — from release, following a court order initiated by the LAPD.
Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo: Celeste Rivas/GoFundMe and D4vd in 2024/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP]