A Grim Discovery: Body Found in Tesla Registered to Rising Star d4vd Shocks Hollywood

Los Angeles, CA — A chilling discovery in Los Angeles has left the music world stunned and the entertainment industry buzzing with questions. On Monday, September 8, police confirmed that a human body was found stuffed inside the front trunk of a Tesla registered to breakout music sensation d4vd (real name David Anthony Burke), just as the 20-year-old artist continues his highly anticipated world tour.

The revelation, first reported by ABC7’s Eyewitness News, sent shockwaves across Hollywood. The incident is not only disturbing in its own right but also tied—through vehicle registration records—to one of music’s fastest-rising stars. While no evidence currently links the singer to the crime, the bizarre circumstances have sparked widespread intrigue and speculation.

The Discovery in Hollywood Hills

According to reports from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the gruesome chain of events began when officers received a call just before 12:30 p.m. on Monday. A concerned citizen had reported a “foul odor” emanating from a parked car in the 1000 block of North Mansfield Avenue, a quiet neighborhood not far from Hollywood Hills.

When officers inspected the vehicle—a 2023 Tesla—they were met with a disturbing sight. Inside the front trunk, or “frunk,” they found a human body sealed inside a plastic bag. Authorities immediately declared the area a crime scene and began investigating the vehicle’s history and ownership.

What quickly elevated the discovery from a local crime story to national headlines was a detail confirmed by ABC7 and later cross-checked by People Magazine: the Tesla was registered in Hempstead, Texas, under the name of singer-songwriter d4vd.

Who Is d4vd?

For those unfamiliar, d4vd is one of music’s most promising young talents. Born in Houston, Texas, in 2005, David Anthony Burke—known professionally as d4vd—rose to fame through viral hits like Romantic Homicide and Here With Me. His unique blend of alternative R&B, indie rock, and lo-fi pop earned him a devoted global following almost overnight.

In April of this year, d4vd released his highly anticipated debut album, Withered, which solidified his reputation as an artist to watch. Currently, he is in the middle of a world tour promoting the record, with scheduled performances in Minneapolis on September 9 and in Los Angeles later this month.

Despite his age, the young star has already been profiled by leading outlets such as Rolling Stone and Billboard, and his music often explores themes of love, loss, and mortality—making the circumstances of this incident eerily ironic for some fans.

Official Statements and Reactions

Shortly after the discovery was made public, d4vd’s representatives released a statement to NBC Los Angeles:

“d4vd has been made aware of the situation and, while he remains focused on his ongoing tour commitments, he is fully cooperating with authorities. At this time, there is no indication of his involvement in the matter.”

The statement sought to distance the artist from any potential suspicion, underscoring that he is physically out of Los Angeles and actively performing abroad. Still, the sheer coincidence of his name being tied to the car has kept his fans and the media captivated.

On social media, reactions were immediate and divided. Some fans expressed concern for the singer, worried that his reputation might be tarnished by association. Others speculated wildly about possible connections, though most admitted the situation seemed more like a tragic coincidence than an incriminating revelation.

One Twitter user wrote: “d4vd is out here singing about heartbreak while someone’s body turns up in a car under his name? This feels like a Black Mirror episode.” Another fan defended him, posting: “He’s literally on tour right now. People need to stop jumping to conclusions. Registration doesn’t mean ownership at the time of the crime.”

Details About the Vehicle

Investigators told the New York Post that the Tesla had been reported abandoned in the Hollywood Hills nearly five days prior to its discovery. It was later towed to an impound lot, where the smell eventually drew attention from staff.

The car, a 2023 Tesla model, was reportedly in good condition aside from the grim contents of its trunk. It remains unclear how long the body had been inside or how the vehicle came to be abandoned.

Police have not yet released details about the victim’s identity, gender, or cause of death, pending autopsy results. However, sources confirmed that the body had been carefully sealed in a bag, suggesting an attempt to conceal it.

The Investigation: What We Know So Far

As of Tuesday, LAPD detectives continue to treat the case as an active homicide investigation. The department has refrained from naming suspects and emphasized that the connection to d4vd is purely administrative through registration records.

One investigator told reporters, off the record, that “registration isn’t ownership”—meaning the car could have changed hands, been loaned out, or even stolen. This leaves open a wide range of possibilities, from foul play involving someone in the artist’s circle to a complete coincidence where a car under his name was misused by unrelated individuals.

Forensic teams are currently analyzing the vehicle for fingerprints, DNA, and other evidence that could establish a timeline. Surveillance cameras in the neighborhood where the car was first abandoned are also being reviewed.

The Media Frenzy

Given d4vd’s rising fame, it comes as no surprise that media outlets worldwide have seized upon the story. Headlines pairing his name with words like “body,” “trunk,” and “Tesla” have created a perfect storm of morbid curiosity.

Tabloids in particular have played up the sensational angle, drawing parallels between his melancholy lyrics and the darkness of the discovery. Music journalists, however, have been quick to caution against conflating artistry with reality, urging readers to separate fact from speculation until more details are known.

A Career at a Crossroads?

For d4vd, the timing of this development could not be more precarious. He is at the peak of a breakout year, with a global tour and critical acclaim bolstering his career. While there is currently no evidence linking him directly to the crime, the association alone could overshadow his accomplishments if public perception turns sour.

Crisis management experts suggest that his team’s quick response was critical in setting the narrative straight. By emphasizing cooperation and underscoring his physical absence from Los Angeles, they may be able to shield him from deeper scrutiny—at least for now.

Unanswered Questions

The discovery raises more questions than it answers. Who is the victim found in the Tesla? How did the vehicle come to be abandoned for days without drawing notice? And what, if any, connection does the owner of the registration truly have to the crime?

Until police release further updates, speculation will continue to swirl. For fans of d4vd, the hope is that his name will soon be cleared entirely, allowing him to return focus to his music rather than a macabre headline. For the broader public, the story serves as yet another reminder of the unsettling intersection between celebrity, crime, and media in the age of viral news.

Conclusion

As detectives press forward, the music industry watches closely. Whether this case ultimately reveals a sinister plot or a tragic coincidence, the fact remains: a young star’s name is now entwined with one of Los Angeles’s most shocking discoveries of the year.

For now, the world waits for answers.