Celeste Rivas grand jury witness faces arrest after non-appearance as D4vd’s manager testifies

A witness in the Celeste Rivas case may be taken into custody after failing to appear before a grand jury

A grand jury hearing examining the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas encountered a significant delay this week after a key witness allegedly failed to appear, prompting prosecutors to prepare a request for her arrest.

Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman, who is overseeing the proceedings, reportedly left the grand jury room on Wednesday and confronted attorney Evan Jenness, who represents both the absent witness and Robert Morgenroth, the music manager for D4vd.

Silverman informed Jenness that she would seek a judge’s approval for a “body attachment,” a legal order used to detain a witness who has not complied with instructions to appear. The witness, whose identity has not been disclosed, did not attend the session and is expected to be taken into custody if the order is issued.

Morgenroth previously spent several days testifying in the closed-door hearings. According to TMZ, he told his attorney that his testimony included tense exchanges, with Silverman questioning why he did not contact law enforcement. He reportedly said he did not believe it was his responsibility and was focused on maintaining the touring schedule for 20-year-old musician D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke.

Investigators continue to examine Burke as a suspect in the death of Celeste Rivas. Her dismembered remains were found in September in the boot of a Tesla impounded at a Hollywood tow yard. Authorities believe she died weeks earlier, around the time of what would have been her 15th birthday. The vehicle was registered to Burke, who was on tour when her body was found. No charges have been filed.

Rivas’ mother reported her missing in April 2024, stating the teenager had been heading to meet Burke for a film outing. Neither Silverman nor Jenness has commented.