The investigation into the tragic death of Celeste Rivas has hit a stumbling block, with at least one witness showing reluctance to cooperate.
Reports from TMZ reveal that Beth Silverman, serving as the District Deputy Attorney for Los Angeles County, is pursuing a “body attachment” for a female witness who failed to attend a scheduled deposition on Wednesday. This legal move seeks to compel her to appear in court.
The court had mandated the witness’s testimony as part of the ongoing investigation into Celeste’s death, which authorities are currently treating as a homicide.
Celeste, who was said to be the girlfriend of the musician D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, was discovered deceased shortly after her 15th birthday. The circumstances surrounding her death have intensified interest in the case.
Following the recent court proceedings, Silverman stated her intention to have law enforcement detain the witness to ensure her testimony is secured.
Previously, CrimeOnline reported that on September 8, Los Angeles police officers discovered Celeste’s body inside a Tesla registered to Burke. The vehicle was found parked near Burke’s former rental residence in the prestigious Bird Streets area of 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]
