Los Angeles authorities confirmed Tuesday that the dismembered, decomposed remains found in a Tesla linked to Bronx-born singer D4vd were those of a teenage girl believed to be 14 to 15 years old. Officials said the victim’s identity was being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The body was discovered in the locked trunk of an abandoned Tesla in California after the vehicle began emitting a foul odor, authorities said. The remains were wrapped in plastic and had been exposed to heat for at least five days, contributing to advanced decomposition that left the body not fully intact.
Sources told local media the girl was petite — about 5 feet 2 inches and roughly 71 pounds — and was found wearing a tube top, black leggings and a yellow bracelet, with metal stud earrings. Investigators noted a small tattoo on the right index finger that read "Shhh..." Los Angeles authorities made the age range public but did not release a name.
The Texas-plated Tesla was impounded by police and later linked to David Anthony Burke, the 20-year-old performer who records as D4vd. Burke has been cooperating with investigators, representatives said, and continued to travel as part of an ongoing international tour. Authorities have provided limited public detail as the investigation proceeds.
When the vehicle was first examined, the singer was preparing for a performance in Minneapolis and had been actively posting on social media, according to contemporaneous public posts. The discovery prompted several commercial partners to distance themselves from Burke. Crocs and Hollister, which had recently announced him as the face of a "Dream Drop" collaboration, severed ties within days of the discovery; product images that had featured him were released with his face cropped out.
Burke rose to prominence in 2022 after recordings of his songs went viral on the social media platform TikTok. He released his debut album in April and embarked on a world tour that included scheduled appearances at major music festivals, including next year’s Lollapalooza in Chicago. His track "Romantic Homicide" has amassed millions of streams on music platforms.
Los Angeles investigators have not publicly identified suspects or provided a timeline for charges. Police statements have focused on the condition in which the remains were found and on ongoing efforts to notify the victim’s family. The Los Angeles County coroner’s office will determine the cause and manner of death as part of the routine postmortem process.
The discovery has drawn attention because of Burke’s rising profile in the music industry and the circumstances of the find. Law enforcement officials said the matter remains an active investigation and asked anyone with information to contact the appropriate local authorities.
Public statements from Burke’s representatives have emphasized his cooperation with investigators. No arrests or charges related to the discovery have been reported publicly as of Tuesday.
Authorities urged members of the public to refrain from spreading unverified information as the investigation continues. Additional details may be released by law enforcement as they are confirmed and following appropriate family notifications.