Los Angeles police said the dismembered body found bagged in the trunk of a Tesla registered to New York-born singer D4vd has been identified as a woman wearing a tube top and marked by a distinctive "Shhhh" tattoo on her right index finger.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office said the victim had black, wavy hair, was about 5 feet 2 inches tall and was wearing a tube top, black leggings, a yellow bracelet and stud earrings when she was found. Authorities cautioned that a full identification could take time because the remains were badly decomposed and not intact when discovered.
Los Angeles police said workers at a Hollywood impound lot reported a foul odor coming from the vehicle several days after it had been towed to the lot. The Tesla, which bears Texas plates, had been reported abandoned in the Hollywood Hills last week before being brought to the impound yard. Detectives said the car had not been reported stolen.
The vehicle is registered to 20-year-old David Anthony Burke, who records under the stage name D4vd. Los Angeles police said they are treating the death as a homicide and continue to investigate how and when the woman died. The discovery prompted a criminal probe; investigators are seeking information that could aid identification and the ongoing inquiry.
D4vd’s representatives said the artist has been informed and is cooperating with authorities. The singer, who has millions of followers on social platforms and multiple billions of streams on music services, remained on his scheduled tour and performed in Minneapolis on Tuesday night while investigators pursued leads in Los Angeles.
Law enforcement officials emphasized that the examination to determine the victim’s identity and cause of death is ongoing. The medical examiner’s office will complete forensic examinations and any necessary testing to confirm identity and gather evidence for the homicide investigation.
The case has drawn attention because the vehicle is tied to a public figure and because of the condition of the remains. Police did not immediately disclose whether there were signs linking the discovery to the place where the car was abandoned or to any suspects. Detectives asked anyone with information about the abandoned vehicle, its movements in recent days, or the identity of the woman to contact the Los Angeles Police Department.
D4vd rose to prominence in recent years with the single "Romantic Homicide" and a rapid growth in streaming and social-media followers. His representatives reiterated that he is cooperating with investigators and did not provide further comment on the ongoing police inquiry.
Authorities said further details, including the victim’s confirmed identity and any findings from the forensic examination, will be released when available as the homicide investigation continues.